Vernon Kay loses 1.3million of Ken Bruce’s BBC Radio 2 listeners

Vernon Kay’s show on BBC Radio 2 has 1.3million fewer listeners than when his predecessor Ken Bruce occupied same the slot, while 6 Music’s ratings continue to soar.

Bruce, one of Radio 2’s longest-serving DJs, left the station back in March and joined Greatest Hits Radio the following month. Kay has since permanently replaced him on the mid-morning programme.

New figures shared by radio industry body Rajar have revealed that Kay is currently pulling in 6.9million listeners – 1.3million fewer than Bruce (via BBC News) did on Radio 2.

But the numbers do, however, mean Kay has the most popular radio show in the UK.

The latest set of audience figures from Rajar – which are published four times a year – span June to September 2023. They are the first to cover a full three-month period for Kay, who presented his first show in May.

Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer, said: “Radio 2 continues to be the country’s most popular station and I’m delighted with the flying start Vernon Kay has made to mid-mornings as the UK’s biggest radio show, bringing his warmth, energy and charisma to listeners up and down the country.”