Show Diary - 5 February 2026: Mums, social pressure and modern reality

[Jono]

I notice there has been a bigger exodus from Radio 2 when Ken Bruce left than when Steve Wright left afternoons. Doesn't seem to take into account Vernon's arrival though. 

More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66381610

[Intercity_225]

10 minutes ago, Jono said:

I notice there has been a bigger exodus from Radio 2 when Ken Bruce left than when Steve Wright left. Doesn't seem to take into account Vernon's arrival though. 

I guess the reason why is because Steve Wright didn't properly leave. He left SWitA but not SLS, so I guess he was still going to be at the station.

[Jono]

3 minutes ago, GregJames_fan said:

I guess the reason why is because Steve Wright didn't properly leave. He left SWitA but not SLS, so I guess he was still going to be at the station.

You'd think from the tweets kicking around he had left altogether though! 

[Intercity_225]

1 minute ago, Jono said:

You'd think from the tweets kicking around he had left altogether though! 

Good point! ?

[Old Codger Fan]

I'd say it was a safe prediction that Vernon Kay's figures will drift upwards next time, and Ken Who?'s figures will drift down.

[AndyK77]

The BBC won't be totally horrified at this as long as the decline doesn't continue too much - the station needs to change over time.

 

Also seen some people saying online that they were tired of adverts and GHR's repetitive music and were going back to Radio 2.

[DC]

Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show was too old for me, nothing against him but I never went out of my way to listen. For the first time the other day though I heard his greatest hits show for half an hour. It's just not the same for him, and the limited music and adverts stop him getting into his full flow. It won't last there imo. Vernon is sounding decent, listened to him a fair bit this week. I think he'll grow into that more and more, and this time next year the figures will show it.

[Jono]

Yeah I mean a year ago I doubt I'd have considered listening to regularly Radio 2 during the week. Now I have the option of Vernon and Scott during the day, and Sara Cox on drive. It's not a permanent fixture, but just as likely to listen to R2 as R1.

[Darren m]

Yes from what iv read on other forums people have given up on Ken co of adverts and music so I wonder what next set of raja’s Will be I makes you realise how good the bbc is I’m glad Scott stayed within the bbc 

[BBCAaron]

3 hours ago, Jono said:

Yeah I mean a year ago I doubt I'd have considered listening to regularly Radio 2 during the week. Now I have the option of Vernon and Scott during the day, and Sara Cox on drive. It's not a permanent fixture, but just as likely to listen to R2 as R1.

Radio 2 is in a place of more when Simon Mayo, Chris Evans joined the station of Radio 2 appealing to the middle aged bracket who are now beyond the target bracket of Radio 1 as Scott Mills now around the age of the 50 bracket same now with Vernon, Ball and Cox. Radio 2 is appealing to the over 50s in an aging population think Radio 2 is working out quite successfully to serve a multi-generation aging population.

I know you’re not near that age bracket but given that Scott was only last year presenting to a target audience of 30 and under. Making the brand of radio 2 independent from it being seen as for a target age. It feels more family orientated which with Greatest Hits going for a nostalgic brand is something that will limit the brand.

[BBCAaron]

It did seem like a good RAJAR for all the youth stations BBC Radio 1, Capital, Capital Dance, Kiss Dance all seem to be on the up.