Chris Evans Leaving Radio 2

[Georgiesmum]

Was anyone else shocked this morning to hear Chris Evans announce that he is leaving Radio 2 at the end of this year. I regularly listen to his breakfast show in the mornings. I wonder who they will choose to take over from him, any suggestions?

[tonyav]

The Dark Lord is far too good to be hidden away on BBC WM. He was by far the best presenter on Radio 2 before his show was axed 'in the interests of economy', so my nomination for the Radio 2 breakfast slot definitely has to be the mighty Alex Lester.

I listen to his show on my way to work in the mornings, Chris. Great show ( he was born and raised in Walsall ).

[goodgoalie]

If I had to place a bet it would be Sara Cox. But whoever it is, it will DEFINITELY be a woman. Let's hope they choose someone who doesn't bang on about their ruddy family all the time.
I wonder if the new bod will get the £1.5m that Evans was getting - not bad for 15 hours a week....

[Cloverjo]

I quite liked Chris Evans on Radio 2 when I was doing the school run. I haven't done that for some years now so haven't heard him recently.
Did someone say he was going back to Virgin? I thought that was taken over by Absolute.
When he was at Virgin I got quite annoyed by all the hangers-on laughing at everything he said.

[Zacs-Master]

1st choice: Simon Mayo
2nd: Sarah Cox.

[Theland]

I know plenty of chatty people who would jump at the chance to take over for fifty grand.
The man has been a bleed on the BBC for too long.
Hope they get somebody to save the license payers a few bob.

[Maydup]

I'll miss Evans on my morning drive to work, and nominate Sara Cox as the most appropriate successor.

[Sam1960]

Agree 100% with Zacs

1. Simon Mayo
2. Sarah Cox

[Hopkirk]

Cloverjo, you are right. The Virgin Radio that Evans worked for (and owned for a while)was re-branded as Absolute Radio.

However a Murdoch owned company called Wireless Group have decided to pay beardy Branson to use the Virgin name. Wireless Group also own Talksport among other stations.

They pretend that it is the same company as the original Virgin Radio, but it is nothing to do with them.

[andy-hughes]

The media is in a fever of speculation, and Sara Cox is emerging as the front runner.

Let's look at the BBC's thinking on this shall we -


Pottery show on telly - axed - check.

Radio One Breakfast Show host - axed - check.

Female, and resolutely northern - check

Given to rambling pointlessly about nothing of any interest - check.

Will avoid giving the job to another white over-forty male - check.

Not Jo Whiley - check.

Not really suitable, but Simon Mayo told us to stuff it - check.

So, that's a done deal then!

[lankeela]

So glad to hear this - fed of up the 'carfest and 500 words show'. Yes by all means tell us about them, but not every couple of minutes. His obsequious fawning over his guests or phone ins was so over the top it made me cringe and his 'oh we've got to do that' whenever someone tells them what they are involved with was just cringeworthy. But if it means that northern Lady taking over I will just stick to The Eagles Greatest Hits playing on a loop.

[lankeela]

Lady? I never called her a Lady!!!! ***.

[Cloverjo]

I like Sara Cox. If she gets the job I might start listening in the early (to me) mornings again.
I like Zoë Ball too, but she tends to make a bit of a hash when she stands in for Ken Bruce.

[oldgreyweird]

If it's the awful Sarah Cox, I'll be finding a new station to listen to in the mornings.