Vernon Kay taking over from Ken Bruce on R2

[PuppyMonkey]

I think he’s great when he does Zoe Ball’s show but is he fit to step into the shoes of living legend Ken?

Think that Ken’s taking PM with him 🙏

He is. He owns the format. I hope they keep the PM podcast going in some form.

I really like the look of the new line up and will now be switching to radio 2 from radio 1 as I'm getting really fed up with the music on radio 1 now. I feel like finally they are catering to my demographic rather than my mum's.

@XanaduKira - you don’t like any music from pre-90s? You are truly missing out: the 70s - which I was too young for - has the absolute best songs. My dd is 19 and that’s nearly all she listens to.

Ah, how my heart soars when Popmaster contestants say, “That was before my time,Ken” and Ken almost snarls at them 😍

You might as well say, “Mozart? Nah, before my time.”

Yes, you're right.

I started listening to it when I was in my early 30s and did at the time think 'God is this what it's come to? This is old people's radio' but I was their target demographic at that point. I had thought it was for old people because it's what my mum listened to when I was a teenager and I thought she was old - but she was in her thirties then too!

As a pp said that's who they've aimed at for decades - people who want tunes from their youth + any new music that's unthreatening.

There will continue to be little nods to the older folk with things like Johnny Walker, just as there used to be a guy years ago when I first started listening who I swear broadcast in a bow tie - lots of talk of "jaggers and taggers" (gin and tonic etc) but mostly they're not after the 50+ audience.

As for where we go - I already mostly listen to radios 3, 4 and 6 and will just do more of that now. I haven't tuned in to the breakfast show in years because I can't stand either Chris Evans or Zoe Ball. Ken was probably the last one I liked, although weirdly I enjoy Scott Mills when I catch him.

Am definitely not going to listen to greatest hits radio - too repetitive, can't stand the adverts and it's a horrible bland juggernaut that is just ploughing its way through local radio.

I'd love to listen to Graham on Virgin but for some reason, neither DAB radio in our house can play it. It used to be a load of white noise with occasional snippet of Graham or Maria, but having rescanned both recently, I now can't get Virgin at all. I thought DAB was the answer to reception issues.

You need to stream it.

The 'great digital switchover ' for both TV and radio has been quietly left to die.

Can't stand Vernon I turned over when he covered for Zoe ball so will just change station if he is taking over from ken.

I didn't once say I don't like any pre-90s music, but it's not what I'd choose to listen to on the radio and I do turn off every time I hear Build me up Buttercup (which I do actually like at a cheesy wedding disco, but not early evening when driving home from work!).

@VoteTurnipGetTurnip Chris Moyles does the breakfast show on Radio X, which is fab (if you like CM , which I do!) I have loved him since the year 2000 when I first heard him on the afternoon show on Radio 1. The music is also great!

@LovedFedAndNoonesDead thanks, still find her and Scott Mills patronising.

One of the songs that's become a comedy song along with Sweet Caroline. Hate it!

Totally @ImJustMadAboutSaffron

I did listen to Elaine Paige this afternoon and loved the show tunes - perfect for a Sunday afternoon but not what I'd normally choose to listen to!

Well, I signed up for the free trial of GHR and its bloody awful. So bye bye Ken and PM 😪

Can you listen to GHR on an actual radio?

Yes, depending on where you live in the country and what you mean by 'actual radio'. It's 105.2FM here in the West Mids but that will vary regionally. It's also on DAB.

Ha ha, the reason they’ve told Ken to go early is the BBC were worried GHR were getting too much publicity and attention as everyone discussed him leaving. Judging by this thread, they may have a point.

@PuppyMonkey I agree. I also think they want a gap between Ken leaving and Vernon starting like they did with Scott Mills and Steve Wright. Although it backfired there, as OJ is a million times better than Scott. I wonder if Gary Davies will cover the gap.