Tess Daly publicly supports Vernon Kay after he's dealt BBC Radio 2 career blow

Tess Daly has paid tribute to husband Vernon Kay after it emerged Ken Bruce was still eating into BBC Radio 2 listener figures. BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Tess praised her hubby on social media in the wake of the news Ken was dominating the airwaves.

"Congrats to this one!" Tess said. "A year on," she added, alongside a snap of Vernon holding '1 YEAR' balloons. Tess also tagged Vernon in the post as she re-shared the post from BBC Radio 2 and added a tag for the station as well.

It comes days after Tess and Vernon attended the BAFTAs together. Tess typed: "BAFTA’S with my handsome date @vernonkay @bafta Wearing @rachelgilbertau @reiss @dune_london styled by @jamesyardley assisted by @ollielast.

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"Makeup by @aimeeadamsmakeup Hair by @clare.on.hair Thank you @the_botree for the beautiful spot to get ready." Today, it was reported Bruce has added 1.6 million listeners since joining Greatest Hits Radio, as commercial radio stations continue to eat into the BBC’s audience.

Although Radio 2 remains the UK’s biggest station with 13.2 million weekly listeners, its audience has fallen substantially since Bruce’s departure. Bruce has boosted the audience for his new mid-morning slot on Greatest Hits Radio by 73% in the last 12 months.

Announcing his departure last year, Bruce wrote on Twitter: “I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!”

A BBC spokesperson said: “Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and it’s always been known he’s leaving in March. Returning to [BBC Two’s base at] Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions at Maida Vale provided a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future.”