{"id":120258,"date":"2019-01-22T12:19:50","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T11:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk\/?p=120258"},"modified":"2019-01-22T12:19:50","modified_gmt":"2019-01-22T11:19:50","slug":"chris-evans-is-back-on-virgin-radio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk\/blog\/chris-evans-is-back-on-virgin-radio\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Evans is back on Virgin Radio"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chris Evans is back on Virgin Radio presenting the breakfast show, nearly 18 years after he left.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Virgin Radio Evans has joined is different to the one he was dismissed from, as that version became Absolute Radio in 2008. This Virgin Radio is owned by Wireless Group, which in turn is owned by Murdoch\u2019s News Corp, parent company of News UK (publisher of The Sun and The Times).<\/p>\n

As Chris Evans joins the show, something else is removed \u2013 adverts. Evans\u2019 show is sponsored by Sky, so he\u2019ll discuss Sky programming but otherwise it\u2019s the first commercial radio breakfast show without conventional adverts.<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s show featured live performance from The Verve\u2019s Richard Ashcroft, as well as guests Fay Ripley, Paul Whitehouse, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett. To introduce Ashcroft to the show Evans said: \u2018There’s been a lot of talk about the first song I’m going to play, but I press buttons, I don’t play songs, musicians play songs. Why don’t we get a musician to play a song live? How about Richard Ashcroft?\u2019<\/p>\n

Ashcroft played Lucky Man.<\/p>\n

After nine years presenting on BBC Radio 2, Evans said he was pleased to be back at Virgin Radio: \u2018It\u2019s so great to be back at Virgin and I have to say it\u2019s a real treat. I feel blessed and we couldn\u2019t be more grateful.\u2019<\/p>\n

Evans is now up against Zoe Ball, who took over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show last week. Coincidentally, Evans\u2019 first breakfast show on the original Virgin Radio in 1997 started on the same day as Zoe Ball\u2019s Radio 1 Breakfast Show.<\/p>\n

News UK\u2019s publications were positive in their reviews \u2013 The Sun<\/a> focused on the reaction from the fans, writing that Evans was \u2018praised by fans and celebs\u2019; while The Times<\/a> gave the show four stars, writing: \u2018Flash Chris is still full of himself, but there were glimpses of a humble, new age Chris, a parent who gives some thought to how radio can be a form of positive energy\u2019.<\/p>\n

The Telegraph<\/a> gave the show three stars, writing: \u2018The energy, one of the most successful parts of Evans\u2019 breakfast show experience, was identical: optimistic, loud, and greeting the day with full-beam sunshine.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Guardian<\/a> also gave him three stars, Mark Lawson \u2013 who last week gave Zoe Ball four stars \u2013 said: \u2018Success of his Virgin venture will depend on whether listeners are more irritated by the disguised advertising of Murdoch interests than of a public service broadcaster.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Daily Mail<\/a> highlighted the similarities the show had to his old Radio 2 slot: \u2018As part of his exit deal it appears that Evans has been able to bring over many of his old jingles. The programme also features the return of items that were a staple on his BBC show, such as Big Screen Belter, Golden Oldie and Gobsmackers.\u2019<\/p>\n

Lots of reactions on Twitter were positive:<\/p>\n

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Thank goodness for Chris Evans in the morning, well done on Virgin Radio today, I have really missed his chat over the last few weeks, he really makes the daily commute more bearable #chrisevansbreakfastshow<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/TCOOnDPP7M<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lesley Sim (@jhoneyloves) January 21, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n