Evans has taken over from Johnny Walker on Radio 2

About 30 people phoned the BBC to register their displeasure as the 40-year-old took over Johnnie Walker's drivetime slot.

"Any schedule change will generate a reaction," said a Radio 2 spokeswoman.

She added: "We've received around 30 complaints, which is a tiny amount compared to Radio 2's audience of over 13 million."

Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas previously said listeners should give Evans time to settle into his new role.

Evans returned to the airwaves last year with a Saturday programme on Radio 2 and was later handed the drivetime slot.

Costly battle

Walker stepped down after seven years hosting the show to move to a Sunday show.

Evans first hosted a daily national radio show in 1995, when he took over the Radio 1 breakfast show. But he left after two years after his request to work a four-day week was turned down.

He later bought and sold Virgin Radio, but was sacked as the breakfast host after failing to turn up for work. He later lost a high-profile and costly battle with Virgin for unfair dismissal in which he claimed he was owed more than �8m in share options.

Evans has been shortlisted for the coveted Music Radio Personality of the Year title and the Entertainment Award at the Sony radio industry awards ceremony in May.