Chris Evans eager to start Radio 2 Wogan breakfast slot

Chris Evans says he "can't wait" to start BBC Radio 2's breakfast show which he takes over on Monday.

Evans replaces Sir Terry Wogan who hosted the breakfast show for a total of 27 years over two spells, and had almost eight million listeners a week.

Evans said he would be delivering the same product as Sir Terry but in a "different way".

Referring to Sir Terry's loyal band of listeners, Evans said it would be a "family show for everyone".

First song

Evans told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "It's like a footballer who gets through to a grand final.

"You're so nervous in the build-up, but once the whistle goes you do what you do, so I can't wait to get on to be honest."

We're going to play about the same amount of records as Terry, about the same variety of records as Terry Chris Evans

Evans said he had done six practice shows including a full dress rehearsal on Friday.

He had decided "ages ago" which song he would play first on the show, admitting he had a "little wobble" and thought about a different track but decided to stick with his original choice.

Evans said he was not worried about how Sir Terry's listenership - the so-called TOGs (Terry's Old Geezers and Girls) - would react to the new presenter.

He said: "Let's forget the names, and let's do a show for everyone. If you're seven, or 107, or anywhere in between or either side, we want to do a family show, that the family can listen to."

'Spread of music'

Evans added: "As far as the music's concerned, we're going to play about the same amount of records as Terry, about the same variety of records as Terry.

"Tomorrow we'll have records on that are over 50 years old. We have a beautiful spread of music."

Evans' new show will begin 30 minutes earlier, starting at 0700 GMT. The news will be read by Moira Stuart, who left the BBC in 2007.

Evans has been presenting Radio 2's drivetime show since April 2006. He also hosted Radio 1's breakfast show until January 1997.

Wake Up to Wogan was the UK's most popular breakfast radio show, with 7.93 million listeners each week.

Sir Terry will host a new Sunday show from February.

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