Chris Evans has started his new breakfast show on Virgin Radio and dismissed rumours of a rivalry with Zoe Ball, who has taken over his former slot at BBC Radio 2.
The host called it a “real treat” to be back on the air, in his first radio appearance since he exited BBC Radio 2 before Christmas, following nine years as host of the station’s breakfast show.
“It’s so great to be back on Virgin and I have to say it’s a real treat, we are blessed, we couldn’t be more grateful,” he said.
Evans informed listeners of two changes since he was last heard on air: that his family have a new dog, and that he no longer owns a smartphone.
The DJ also told listeners that Zoe Ball sent him a text message over the weekend to wish him good luck, dismissing reports of any rivalry between the two.
“If anybody’s any good at anything, there’s room for everyone. And it helps with the quality of the business,” he said.
Evans’s debut featured an appearance by Richard Ashcroft to play the first song, “Lucky Man” by his former band The Verve.
“There’s been a lot of talk about the first song I’m going to play,” Evans said. “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?”
He also played songs by Blondie, Queen, Stereophonics, Oasis and Blossoms, on a show that broadly specialises in rock and indie. The show will run weekdays between 6.30am and 10am.
