Vernon Kay is reportedly lined-up to replace long-time host Ken Bruce in his primetime morning BBC Radio 2 slot.
The Bolton-born TV presenter may be well-known for fronting various shows on Channel 4’s T4 throughout his career, as well as several ITV shows including All Star Family Fortunes, Just The Two Of Us, Beat The Star, and Splash!, and for competing in reality competition show I’m A Celebrity… back in 2020, but he’s also got plenty of experience on the airwaves too.
The 48-year-old presented his own BBC Radio 1 show between 2004 and 2012, and then went on to host a show on Radio X between 2015 and 2017.
After four years off air, as 2021 rolled around, Kay went back into the radio studios to cover several shows for different absent hosts on BBC Radio 2 – including Zoe Ball, Scott Mills, Rylan Clark, Steve Wright, Dermot O’Leary, and Gethin Jones.
And now it seems he could be set for a permanent gig on the popular radio station.
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Vernon Kay reportedly set to replace long-time host Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 / Credit: Vernon Kay (via Instagram)
Following the announcement by Scottish radio broadcasting veteran Ken Bruce last month that he would be stepping down from his late-morning slot on BBC Radio 2, reports have emerged this morning that Kay could be set to bring his Greater Manchester accent to the masses as his replacement.
Revered host Bruce has hosted the primetime BBC Radio 2 show from 1986 to 1990, and then again from 1992 to 2023, but after after 31 years in the job, he is due to present his final 9:30am-midday slot next month.
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Revealing his decision to step down, the 72-year-old 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”, and confirmed that he’ll be moving to Greatest Hits Radio in April to present a brand new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm.
This, of course, has left the BBC with the tricky task of finding someone to fill Bruce’s shoes.
Ken Bruce will host his final BBC Radio 2 show after 31 years next month / Credit: BBC
Addressing his departure in a statement earlier this year, 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.”
With both the BBC and Kay’s team declining to comment at this time on whether or not he will take over from Bruce in the role, listeners will just have to continue eagerly waiting replacement confirmation.
Featured Image – Vernon Kay (via Instagram)
Bolton
Urgent search for missing 80-year-old ‘keen walker’ from Bury
Daisy Jackson
A keen walker and birdwatcher from Bury has gone missing while out walking in a local beauty spot, with an urgent search now taking place.
Brian Fletcher, 80, travelled from his home to the Tockholes area of Lancashire on Saturday afternoon.
Brian regularly walks in the area, police have said, including the Higher Roddlesworth and Lower Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
He hasn’t been seen since the weekend and officers are now urgently appealing for anyone who was in the area to come forward with dashcam footage.
If you were on the A675 Belmont Road – from Abbey Village to Tockholes – between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, and have footage or information, you should contact the police immediately.
Brian was driving a grey Citroen C4 Cactus car, registration WP64HSC, which was found parked in a layby on the A675, near to Tockholes Road.
He’s described as 5ft 8, slim, with grey hair and a small scar on his face from a recent procedure.
When Brian was last seen he was wearing a dark blue jumper, blue cargo trousers, a tan baseball cap and walking boots.
Bolton Mountain Rescue confirmed that search helicopters and dogs are being used in the search.
Lancashire Police said: “We are concerned for Brian’s welfare and if you think you have seen him over the weekend in the Tockholes and surrounding areas, please get in touch.
“Any sightings, please call 999 immediately. If you have dashcam footage of his car or any information which could assist us in finding Brian, contact 101 – quoting log 1544 of 22nd March 2025.
“Our officers are being assisted by Mountain Rescue teams in the search.”
Plans submitted to demolish 54-year-old Greater Manchester shopping centre
Emily Sergeant
Detailed plans have officially been submitted for the demolition of a once-thriving shopping centre that’s stood standing for half a century.
You may remember that Bolton Council purchased the Crompton Place shopping centre back in 2018 as part of its town centre regeneration masterplan, with the intent to demolish the building’s original structure and use the newly-cleared space for public performances, events, pop-up markets and loads more.
Pending approval later this year, the Council has now formally submitted demolition plans, with the process taking just 50 weeks and being completed in a single phase.
Visitors to Bolton town centre are expected to ‘quickly see the benefits’ of the demolition, according to the Council, thanks to the reintroduction of a direct pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate.
Ahead of the long-term use of the space, the Council says this so-called ‘meanwhile use’ in the short period between demolition and the start of new developments will ensure the area remains ‘vibrant’ and continues to attract visitors to the town centre in order to support local businesses.
Plans have been submitted to demolish a 54-year-old Greater Manchester shopping centre / Credit: Geograph
The transformation of Crompton Place is Bolton’s flagship redevelopment project and work is said to be ‘well underway’ to find the right developers for the site.
Planning was previously granted for a mixed-use development to replace Crompton Place, including leisure and hospitality venues, but once developers are appointed, they will hold a public consultation on the future for the site – including how it’ll benefit the wider town centre.
The demolition of Crompton Place follows years of work to relocate the former tenants of the shopping centre elsewhere in the town centre.
“This demolition plan marks the start of a truly transformational project in the heart of Bolton town centre,” commented Bolton Council Leader Nick Peel, as the plans were formally detailed and submitted this week.
“Last year saw several regeneration projects successfully delivered, but the start of work on Crompton Place sends a clear signal that Bolton means business.
“We have already had significant interest in the site, and we are confident that investment in the site will attract even more developers to other parts of the town centre.”
Emily Sergeant -
24th February 2023 
