Radio 2's Vernon Kay tops up huge BBC salary with extra job after listeners drop (2024)

Vernon Kay apologises for making a 'slip of the tongue'

Radio presenter Vernon Kay will return in Wycombe Swan’s panto Aladdinthis year. The former Family Fortunes host began hosting the ever-popular mid-mornings show on BBC Radio 2 in February last year, replacing Ken Bruce.

The Scottish broadcaster decided to leave the BBC station after 31 years last year and was replaced by Vernon, who is reported to be earning a staggering £300,000 according to Mail Online.

However, official figures have recently revealed that BBC Radio 2 listeners have dipped since the beloved long-time presenter left the station. It has also been reported that audience numbers for Greatest Hits Radio has increased to 3.8 million since Ken joined.

The 72-year old started at the commercial rival station in April 2023 with only 2.2 million listeners. Meanwhile, his former slot on BBC Radio 2 has seen a loss in audience figures, with 1.5 million people moving away from the station.

Ken joined Bauer Media Group UK with a brand-new mid-morning show on Greatest Hits Radio from April 3 and took with him the legendary Pop Master radio quiz, to which he owns the rights.

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Vernon is set to return to panto land this year (Image: Getty)

Speaking about his return to panto land, Vernon said: "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. Great song and dance, lots of audience interaction and amazing slapstick. Expect a whole lot of high paced, high tempo full of energy and blink and you miss it action. I’ll see you there!"

With 6.9 million listeners on BBC Radio 2, Vernon still hosts the UK’s biggest radio show, but he has previously acknowledged that it came as no surprise to him that BBC figures had dipped since Ken's departure.

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Ken Bruce left BBC Radio 2 last year after 31 years (Image: Getty)

Speaking to Radio Times last year in an interview, Vernon 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."

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