Chris Evans' Virgin Radio debut: 'Perfect start' praised by fans in new breakfast show role

Evans received widespread approval
Safeeyah Kazi21 January 2019
The Weekender

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Chris Evans launched his brand new breakfast show on Virgin Radio – and fans can't get enough of it.

The radio veteran made his debut on the new platform after he jumped ship from his BBC Radio 2 slot, which he handed over to Zoe Ball.

Opening his show at 6:30am, Evans told listeners: “This is our breakfast show live on Virgin Radio. It's so great to be back at Virgin and I have to say it's a real treat. I feel blessed and we couldn't be more grateful."

He then kicked off the show with a live performance of Lucky Man from Richard Ashcroft.

Moving on: Evans was praised by fans for his show debut
Jeremy Selwyn

Evans said: "There's been a lot of talk about what's the first song I'm going to play, but of course I just press buttons, I don't play songs.

"Musicians play music, so how about we get a musician to play a song? Feet away from me, this morning. How about Richard Ashcroft everybody?"

He went on to reveal Ashcroft would stay to play another five songs throughout the show.

Evans’ show went down a treat with listeners, with many admitting they “missed” hearing him in the morning.

One user wrote: “Great first show Chris Evans....with Richard Ashcroft, what more could we ask for?!”

Another commented: “Having Chris Evans back on the radio is just what we need to get us through to the end of January.”

A third added: “@VirginRadioUK @ChrisEvans Perfect start to the day. Glad you brought the show with you and I still have my eggs in the morning!"

Evans later played the first record of the programme, Queen's Don't Stop Me Now.

Reading out messages from listeners, Evans joked that he had been having nightmares ahead of his debut.

One message read: "I actually dreamt I listened to your show and it went very well."

Chris Evans at Virgin Radio - In pictures

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Evans jokingly added: "That's actually the opposite of the dream I have been having."

Thanking her on air, he said: "Zoe, thanks for your text message last night. It was very sweet of you".

Celebrity guests set to appear across the show include actress Fay Ripley and comedians Paul Whitehouse, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett.

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