When does Chris Evans start his new radio show on Virgin and why did he leave BBC Radio 2?

New year, new start for the radio veteran
Moving on: Chris Evans is about to make his Virgin radio return
PA Wire/PA Images
Georgia Chambers14 January 2019

Chris Evans is preparing to start his new gig on Virgin Radio after leaving BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show.

After nearly nine years at the helm, Evans announced he was leaving the Beeb in September 2018 and hosted his final show on Christmas Eve.

The DJ, who recently welcomed twins with wife Natasha Shishmanian, said of his departure: “I have absolutely loved every single moment of my time at Radio 2. The last 13 years have flashed by in what seems like the blink of an eye. I have learnt so much from so many people to whom I will be eternally grateful.

"As Sir Terry said before me, there’s never a right time to leave something you love but there might be a wrong time if you hang on too long.”

If you’ve been missing Evans’ voice to brighten up your weekday mornings, here’s everything you need to know about his new show on Virgin Radio:

Why did Chris Evans quit BBC Radio 2?

Over and out: Chris Evans leaving broadcasting house in December 2018
SplashNews.com

Sir Richard Branson hinted on Good Morning Britain in September that he may have coaxed the DJ to leave the station.

Explaining how Evans was originally signed to Virgin Radio in 1993, Sir Branson said: “Well, 30 years ago I jumped on British Airways Concorde – much against my best wishes – because he [Evans] was travelling to New York, to try to persuade him to come and join Virgin Radio and we ended up being successful then.

“Thirty years later, I was doing an interview with him on the Beeb, and I know I shouldn’t have – maybe it was a slight discourtesy to the Beeb to steal one of their people – but I did suggest that maybe a change of scenery would be good for him.”

After Evans’ £1.66 million salary was made public, Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC, confessed that Evans found the pressure ‘quite hard.’

Branson also claimed Evans preferred the freedom offered at Virgin and cared less about pay.

“I have no idea what he was earning at the BBC or even what he’s earning at Virgin,” he said.

“He just wanted a change. Virgin gives him more freedom than the BBC and Chris is someone who values freedom over salary. This will put Virgin on the map.”

When does Chris Evans start at Virgin Radio?

Fans of Evans won’t have long to wait until he returns to our airwaves, with his first show slated for Monday 21 January, 2019.

Details have been slowly leaking out on Evans’ new show, with Virgin Radio announcing in December that a sponsorship deal with Sky would mean no ad breaks.

Chris Evans leaves BBC Radio 2

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How to listen

Listeners can tune into the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio online, on the Virgin Radio app and on DAB digital radio 97.5FM.

Who will replace Chris Evans on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show?

Strictly’s It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball will serve as Evans’ replacement, hosting the Breakfast show spot as of Monday.

She said of her new role: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be following in the giant footsteps of Chris Evans as the host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. To be the first woman to present this very special show is both an honour and a privilege.”

Ball is not the only change to the station’s schedule. Rylan Clark-Neal, formerly of X-Factor fame, was confirmed as Ball’s replacement last month, taking over her weekend slot.

He said in a statement: “I’m so excited and honoured to be joining the BBC Radio 2 family. After stepping in for the amazing Zoe Ball over the summer, working with her fantastic team, I’m thrilled that I’ll be working with them again to fill listeners’ Saturday afternoons with fun, great music and a lot of laughter.”

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