It's been almost six months since Vernon Kay took over from Ken Bruce in BBC Radio 2's mid-morning slot, and while it was reported last month that the show had lost 1.3 million listeners in that time, Kay has said that a "dip" was "to be expected".
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Speaking in this week's issue of Radio Times magazine, Kay was asked how it felt taking over from Ken Bruce, given the latter's popularity, with 8.2 million listeners.
He said: "There was a dip when Ken Bruce left, but that’s to be expected. Ken’s a radio icon and there’s a lot of love for him. That’s proven by him taking some of the audience with him to Greatest Hits, which is fabulous for him.
"But since that dip, figures have stayed steady, so I’m pleased.
"It feels like I’m chatting to a load of mates. When the fader’s down, it’s me on my Jack Jones. When it’s up, 6.9 million people from all over the UK and Europe cram into the studio. That’s mind-blowing - but you can’t take it too seriously."
Vernon Kay. BBC/Ray Burmiston
Asked whether he had spoken to Bruce since taking over the slot, Kay said: "We take the same train every morning! He gets on a few stops further down the line, but we bump into each other all the time - we say hello and have a chinwag.
"Ken did 31 years in the mid-morning slot, but in 31 years, I’ll be 80. There’s no way I’ll be sat at this desk! It’s a precious slot that needs the utmost respect. It’s not about me or Ken, it’s about the listener."
Since Bruce joined Greatest Hits, the station has announced a growth of 76.9 per cent year on year, the largest across all stations.
After joining the station in April, Bruce's show now has a weekly audience of 3.7 million listeners, with the host saying recently that he is "delighted" to welcome "more and more listeners".
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James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
