Davina McCall: came across as genuinely chummy and natural. Photograph: Dave Hogan/Getty
This morning, in a trademark froth of boundless enthusiasm ("I'm so excited I'm on the radio!") Davina McCall arrived at Radio 2. She's sitting in for Ken Bruce on the mid-morning show this week; further proof that it really helps to have John Noel as your agent to secure a gig on the nation's favourite radio station. I am very worried that any day now, Chantelle (minus Preston of course) will be sitting in for Jeremy Vine.
Back to Davina. Did you catch this morning's show? If so, what did you think? Ken Bruce fans have been posting universally critical messages on the Radio 2 website, though this discussion has already been closed as "off-topic".
There were a few bumpy moments, not least her saying "nice to see you" to listeners, but it was mainly amiable chat drawing on a newspaper story about marital woes. Davina shared hers ("he has to have control of the remote control") and told a rather fine joke about a talking centipede.
It wasn't brilliant radio - she seemed nervous early on, and said "er" too much - but it wasn't anywhere near as gruesome as her telly chat show. The best bits were when she was talking to callers and came across as genuinely chummy and natural.
Radio is much harder than it sounds, and this was a reasonable debut in a regular slot. But does Radio 2 need another Big Brother-linked television personality? And will you be tuning in?
