Bolton's Vernon Kay to take Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show

The well-known TV presenter will take over from Scottish broadcasting veteran Bruce, following the announcement last month that he would be stepping down.

Kay, who is celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly this year – who he married at St Mary’s Church in Horwich in 2003 - is known for fronting various shows on Channel 4’s T4 as well as ITV programmes including All Star Family Fortunes, Just the Two of Us, and Beat The Star.

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The 48-year-old presented his own BBC Radio 1 show between 2004 and 2012, and another on Radio X between 2015 and 2017.

Kay has a history of fronting many successful prime time TV shows (Image: Newsquest)

He has previously filled in for other Radio 2 presenters including Zoe Ball and Scott Mills.

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The Sun reported that contracts had been signed last week, and the former St Joseph’s R C High School student is due to begin his new role on April 3.

A BBC Radio 2 spokesperson said: “We’ve seen a lot of speculation about who will take over the much-coveted mid-morning slot on Radio 2, and we’ll confirm the new presenter in the near future.”

Bruce announced he was leaving the BBC after 31 years in January and is due to present his final 9.30am – midday slot in March.

The news was shortly followed by confirmation that the 72-year-old will be moving to the Bauer station Greatest Hits Radio in April to present a brand-new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm.

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay (Image: Newsquest)

Bruce said he would “always be proud” of his association with the BBC and Radio 2, but that he wanted to continue his career “in a slightly different way in the next few years”.

The radio DJ first joined the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter and his first regular slot on Radio 2 was the Saturday Late Show in 1984.

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The following year he fronted the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, taking over from Sir Terry Wogan.

He later moved to mid-mornings in 1986 and after a brief stint on late nights and early mornings, he returned to mid-mornings in January 1992.

Bruce has also presented Radio 2’s coverage of Eurovision since 1988 and has been a regular presenter of Sunday Night is Music Night.

Kay’s representatives have been contacted for comment.