Bolton

Vernon Kay reportedly set to replace long-time host Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2

Could the Bolton-born presenter be the one to fill the Scottish broadcasting legend's shoes?

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th February 2023

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more:

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

24-hour ‘night bus’ pilot to begin across Greater Manchester later this year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A long-awaited ‘night bus’ pilot is to get underway across Greater Manchester in just over a month’s time.

As the Bee Network – which is Greater Manchester’s newly-launched integrated transport network – looks to provide much-needed further support to the region’s night time economy and all of those who work within it, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that a 24-hour transport pilot will kick off from the start of September.

It comes after plans for the trial were first revealed back in February.

Night buses will first run on the V1 and the 36 to help connect Manchester with Leigh and Bolton, via Salford, as these were the first areas to be taken over by the Bee Network.

According to TfGM, the trial will see services run at least every hour.

As Greater Manchester continues to “go for growth”, these new bus services will work to provide 24-hour connectivity for around 135,000 people living within 400m – or about five minute walk – from the V1 and 36.

The V1 and 36 have been chosen, not just because they provide bus services to the first Bee Network areas, but also due to their proximity to key night time economy employment sites – such has hotels, bars and clubs, hospitals, and distribution centres.

They also serve areas with high numbers of people who are less likely to own a car and therefore more likely to use public transport.

A 24-hour ‘night bus’ pilot is to begin across Greater Manchester later this year / Credit: TfGM

Andy Burnham says he is “really excited” for the 24-hour night bus trial launch.

“Better transport at night is something I know people have been crying out for,” the Mayor of Greater Manchester said in a statement ahead of the launch later this year.

“The Bee Network allows us to develop the services that best serve people and businesses across our city region. Transport should never be a barrier to opportunity, and this is a step towards improving things for people who work or want to work in our hospitals, care homes, clubs, bars, distribution centres, or theatres.”

Read more:

The night buses will also use the same capped bus fares that were first introduced in 2022 to provide “a simplified ticket offer” that is consistent with services across the region.

Featured Image – TfGM

Bolton

Bolton-born luxury streetwear brand Represent to open first permanent Manchester store

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Greater Manchester’s biggest fashion success stories is set to open its first permanent store in the city centre.

Founded back in 2011 by Bolton-born brothers, George and Mike Heaton, Represent has gone from strength to strength, and has become, far and away, one of the UK’s best-loved luxury fashion labels over the past decade or so – proving itself to be a proper local success story for the Greater Manchester region.

Represent has collaborated with numerous big-name celebrities since its launch, including Justin Bieber, the Kardashians, and even Manchester’s very-own Liam Gallagher.

The brand already has a bespoke store over in West Hollywood, and a recently-announced planned space in London’s swanky Soho area, as well as having created several pop-ups in both London and Manchester at the likes of Selfridges, Flannels, and Harrods.

Luxury streetwear brand Represent is opening its first permanent Manchester store / Credit: Represent Clo (via Facebook)

But now, to build on its success even further, the rapidly-growing company has announced that it’ll be opening its first permanent retail store outside of the capital later this year.

And naturally, it’s chosen Manchester as the lucky location.

The city centre‘s major shopping centre, Manchester Arndale, says it’s “delighted” to reveal that it has agreed a 10-year lease deal with the label to open a brand-new 5,419 sq ft store on New Cathedral Street – which is a street already home to other leading luxury retailers like Harvey Nichols, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors.

Inspired by retro Mancunian designs, Represent’s popular ranges of t-shirts, hoodies, and trainers are regularly showcased at top fashion destinations worldwide.

The Bolton-born brand is taking up a unit on New Cathedral Street in the city centre / Credit: Represent Clo (via Facebook)

The brand says its new Manchester store will aim to provide a “bespoke luxury shopping experience”, where customers can book an appointment with an advisor who’ll be able to offer recommendations tailored to their needs.

“We are very excited to open our first UK retail store in Manchester, our hometown and base,” admitted George Heaton, who is the co-founder and current Creative Director of Represent.

“The Represent Manchester location marks an important and iconic milestone for the brand.

“We’ve been on the lookout for the perfect location and managed to come upon this great store in a prestigious part of the city amongst other luxury brands. The space reflects what Represent looks and feels, through the tones, palette it carries, and the textures used throughout the materials used to craft the interior and exterior.”

Read more:

Represent is set to open in Manchester on New Cathedral Street this autumn, but exact opening dates are to be announced in due course.

Featured Image – Supplied

More Bolton

Bolton

Former GMP and prison officer jailed after secret relationship with murderer uncovered

Albert's Bookshelf family reading festival Bolton

Bolton

Emmerdale star Danny Miller to host brand-new family festival in Bolton this weekend

Bolton

16-year-old boy charged following ‘reports of sexual assaults’ in Bolton park

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches