Vernon Kay praised as he dedicates first Radio 2 show to listeners

Vernon Kay’s first show in the mid-morning slot on BBC Radio 2 has been praised by critics and listeners.

It is Kay’s first show since it was announced he was replacing the legendary Ken Bruce who had hosted the show for 31 years.

He opened the show by playing Beautiful Day by U2 and followed up with Chic’s Good Times.

Kay then addressed the controversy over his appointment with many fans unhappy that Bruce had been sidelined and now hosts his show on Greatest Hits Radio.

He said: “I can relax now. We are two tracks in. It’s alright. Everyone just simmer. Let’s bring the boil down to a simmer. So much noise in the build-up to this show, as to be expected, but we are here now, we are in the chair and the microphone is working and that is all that matters.”

In a four star review in The Guardian, Kay’s hosting was praised as was his song selection after many critics feared he would favour more recent music and dance tunes.

Mark Lawson wrote: “But true to what seemed a classic-rich playlist strategy, he finished the first show with the Rolling Stones’ Satisfaction, from 1965, nine years before he was born; he would be justified for feeling the emotion that Mick Jagger hymned,

“Kay had described following Bruce as equivalent to taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Ferguson’s replacement, David Moyes, won his first league game 4-1 (Kay came out at least 2-1 up), but failed to complete the first year of his contract.

“In music radio, as in football, the trick is relentless consistency – which is the DJ’s next post-Bruce challenge.”

Kay was also praised by many listeners given the difficulty of replacing Bruce. One wrote on Twitter: “Vernon Kay doing rather well. It’s different, but the station that listeners enjoyed 30 years ago isn’t the same station now. And why should it be?”

Another said: “All the dullards complaining Radio 2 has gone “too modern for me” just cos the DJs are now under 50 and are playing records from the past thirty years, Vernon Kay has just spun Doris Day and Frank Sinatra.

“It’s like Jimmy Young all over.”

One listener also enjoyed Kay’s presenting: “I really like Vernon Kay and hope the audience embraces him, even if it takes a minute.”

Watch below: Vernon Kay set to replace Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2