Radio 2's Sara Cox defends Vernon Kay as she talks ageism row and Ken Bruce exit

26 August 2023 , 13:56

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Sara rubbished the idea Vernon is too young for Radio 2's audience (Image: www.danielkennedy.com)

BBC Radio 2's Sara Cox defended Vernon Kay as she addressed the Family Fortunes star replacing veteran broadcaster Ken Bruce amid a raging ageism row.

Since Ken's devastating departure, listeners accused the station of 'getting rid of its legends.' It came after Bruce was axed from the morning slot earlier this year when the 72-year-old was forced out early as he signed with a rival station network. In April 2023, he joined Greatest Hit Radio.

Ken had been presenting his weekday show for over three decades and regularly entertaining millions of listeners. The move triggered a growing concern among loyal Radio 2 listeners, who accused the station of abandoning its older audience after it previously axed 68-year-old Steve Wright’s afternoon show. Other older presenters also left the station in recent months including the late Paul O’Grady, 67, and Vanessa Feltz, 61.

However, the BBC has insisted that Radio 2 will continue to be a ‘multi-generational’ station following complaints about Ken Bruce’s departure. Speaking out about the controversy in an interview with Woman & Home, Sara defended the radio station as well as Vernon Kay and trashed the idea he is too young for the station's older audience.

Vernon Kay replaced Bruce Ken earlier this year (PA)

She said: "Ken going was a bit of a shocker, then Vernon started and within three links he sounded at home. Also, don't forget, Vernon's a good-looking lad, but he's not 21, arriving with his cap on backwards, on a skateboard, he's knocking 50 and he's greying beautifully."

Radio 2 listening figures plunge as fans snub station after veteran DJs dumped

Defending the row, she added: 'He's older than Ken was when he started, it may feel like [Radio 2] is getting in all these young 'uns, but we've still got all the legends on there.'

Sara, also admitted her own career has drastically improved in the past few years. '"he last few years, my career has got even better, it's ripened. I'm very fortunate in the way it's panned out. .. [In radio] people move on and get replaced" she said.

Previously opening up about his new gig on Radio 2, Vernon Kay said: "My dad is a lorry driver and I said this when I joined Radio 2 and started standing in for Steve Wright, so we’ve always had Radio 2 on in the background.

“It is part of us, it is in our DNA. Ken Bruce is mid-mornings. You don’t think of any other DJ when you think of that slot- he's made it his own. He's an absolute legend of broadcaster. I'm obviously over the moon but it's the Ken Bruce show. The man has raised the bar so high."

Ayaan Ali