…By Enitan Thompson for TDPel Media.
Vernon Kay, the 49-year-old TV presenter, is set to begin his role as the new host of BBC Radio 2 on Monday, taking over from the esteemed Scottish broadcaster Ken Bruce.
Bruce announced his departure from the mid-morning show after an impressive 31-year tenure.
The program, airing on weekdays from 9.30am to 12pm, will feature a range of segments, including the popular music quiz “Ten To The Top,” “Tracks Of My Years,” the Record and Album Of The Week, and performances from the Radio 2 Piano Room.
Kay expresses a mix of apprehension and excitement as he prepares for his first day.
Apprehension and Admiration for Ken Bruce:
Kay admits to feeling a degree of apprehension as he approaches his new role, acknowledging the high standards set by Ken Bruce.
He highlights Bruce’s ability to create a captivating vibe and atmosphere that Kay finds truly exceptional.
Bruce’s talent for delivering funny, entertaining, and information-packed anecdotes in just five sentences amazes Kay, who confesses that it takes him significantly longer to achieve the same effect.
He has spent a considerable amount of time listening to Bruce’s broadcasts, aware of the challenge of living up to his predecessor’s reputation.
Surprise Opportunity and Filling In:
Kay was taken aback when he learned of Bruce’s planned departure.
He was equally stunned when Helen Thomas, the boss at Radio 2, approached him to take over the show.
Having previously filled in for other presenters such as Zoe Ball, Steve Wright, Rylan Clark, and Dermot O’Leary, Kay was content with occasional substitute appearances.
He saw these opportunities as a chance to be a bit more daring and mischievous, assuming that he would only be tidying up after himself.
However, it turned out that those fill-in experiences were actually an audition for the main role.
Kay immediately accepted the offer without hesitation.
However, he soon found himself receiving some criticism for being too young to replace Bruce, which he humorously refers to as the “best trolling” he has ever encountered.
Advice and Easing Anxiety:
Kay expresses his desire for the show to have “real energy,” and he shares some advice he received from fellow Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills.
Mills advised him to stay true to himself and not try to change or create a new persona.
This guidance has helped alleviate Kay’s anxiety about meeting expectations.
He emphasizes that attempting to create a character would only lead to getting caught up in unnecessary complications.
With nearly 25 years of experience in broadcasting, starting from the age of 14, Kay compares his earlier job of cleaning school toilets to the incomparable experience of speaking to eight million people on the radio.
Conclusion:
As Vernon Kay prepares to embark on his new role as the host of BBC Radio 2’s mid-morning show, he acknowledges the challenge of living up to the standards set by Ken Bruce.
Despite his initial apprehension, Kay expresses his admiration for Bruce’s talents and aims to infuse the show with his own energy.
The surprising opportunity to take over the show came as a shock to Kay, but he quickly accepted the offer, unaware of the trolling he would receive for being perceived as too young.
With advice from fellow presenter Scott Mills, Kay plans to be himself and embrace the opportunity to engage with millions of listeners.