Radio presenter Vernon Kay is set to make a return to the stage in this year’s pantomime production of Aladdin at Wycombe Swan. The former host of Family Fortunes took over the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2 in February of last year, following the departure of long-time presenter Ken Bruce. According to reports, Vernon is earning an impressive £300,000 for his role at the BBC.
However, recent official figures have revealed a decline in listenership for BBC Radio 2 since Ken Bruce left the station. On the other hand, audience numbers for Greatest Hits Radio, where Ken now hosts a mid-morning show, have increased to 3.8 million. This is a significant rise compared to the 2.2 million listeners the station had when Ken first joined. BBC Radio 2, on the other hand, has experienced a loss of 1.5 million listeners since Ken’s departure.
Ken joined Bauer Media Group UK in April 2023 and brought along with him the popular Pop Master radio quiz, for which he holds the rights. Speaking about his upcoming role in the pantomime, Vernon expressed his excitement, saying, “The Master of the Dad Joke is back! I’m so excited to be returning to the Wycombe Swan, my local theatre, in Aladdin this year. It’s a fantastic story, an absolute classic. I can’t wait to get back on the stage for all the panto madness. Expect a whole lot of high-paced, high-tempo energy and action. I’ll see you there!”
Despite the decline in listeners since Ken’s departure, Vernon still hosts the UK’s largest radio show, with 6.9 million listeners on BBC Radio 2. In an interview with Radio Times, Vernon acknowledged the dip in figures but expressed his satisfaction with the steady numbers since then. He also mentioned the love and admiration for Ken Bruce, who he considers a radio icon.
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