Vaughan Given Start Date as Capital’s Breakfast Host
Capital 95.8 FM has confirmed that former Big Breakfast presenter and chat show host Johnny Vaughan will replace Chris Tarrant as host of its flagship breakfast show on 19 April.
The move will see Tarrant bring an end to a marathon run on the high-profile breakfast show, which he has presented for sixteen years. The loss of Capital’s lynchpin DJ could have a significant impact on the station, which relies on the breakfast show to bring in more than 1.5 million listeners (see Capital Confirms Tarrant Is To Leave Breakfast Show).
Vaughan, who has signed a three year deal to present the breakfast show, announced his 19 April start date this morning via an email voice message. He also took the opportunity to take pot shot at rival breakfast show host Jono Coleman.
He said: “Hi, it’s Johnny here. Just thought I’d give you a call to let you know that I’m starting on the new breakfast show on 95.8 FM on 19 April. That’s Johnny by the way, not Jono. There’s a massive difference. Well about four stone. That’s big enough isn’t it.”
Vaughan’s appointment comes at the height of a ratings war between Capital and Heart, which are currently vying for the top spot in London. The latest RAJAR results for the three months to December show that Capital recaptured its lead from rival Heart with a 1.5% period on period increase in weekly reach to 2,304,000.
The new breakfast host may unsettle some of Tarrant’s core following, but Rob Lynam, planner buyer at the Media Planning Group said: “I think it’s a good move as Capital was becoming too reliant on Tarrant and his show was starting to wane. Vaughan is going back to breakfast and that is what he was good at.”
Tarrant was reportedly paid £1 million last November to stay on at Capital for another year. He has been credited with bringing in around 15% of the station’s revenue, a standard which may seem daunting for Vaughan as he attempts to settle between his predecessor’s well-worn earphones.
Capital Radio: 020 7766 6000 www.capitalradiogroup.co.uk
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