Vernon Kay has emerged as the favourite to replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 after the breakfast show host was sacked following allegations about his personal conduct.
Mills was abruptly taken off the air last week, signing off his last show on March 24 with: “See you tomorrow.”
The BBC confirmed on Monday that the 53-year-old is no longer contracted to work with the company.
The sacking has left a vacancy at BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show just over a year after Mills took over from Zoe Ball as host.
Vernon Kay, who hosts a mid-morning show on Radio 2, is currently the favourite with bookmaker William Hill to replace Mills.
Last month, the station’s head Helen Thomas said Vernon Kay continues to be “the most listened to show on UK radio”, attracting 6.7 million listeners each week.
Veteran DJ Gary Davies, who unexpectedly started hosting Mills’ breakfast show last Wednesday, was also tipped as a possible replacement.
Davies did not address the reason for Mills’ absence and just told listeners: “Morning, Gary in for Scott.”
OJ Borg, who hosts Radio 2’s weekday overnight show, was another of the station’s presenters who featured in the bookmaker’s list.
William Hill also named broadcasters Rylan Clark and Clara Amfo as potential replacements.
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Spokesman Lee Phelps said: “With Scott Mills’ departure from BBC Radio 2 confirmed, attention has quickly turned to who takes on one of the biggest roles in UK radio.
“Our early betting has Vernon Kay out in front at 6/4, but right behind him is Gary Davies at 5/2 and OJ Borg at 11/4, having previously hosted the show.
“Other potential candidates include Rylan Clark (7/2), Clara Amfo (4/1) and Tony Blackburn (6/1), followed by Strictly Come Dancing and Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman (8/1).
“Joe Wilkinson and Alex Horne are 10/1 and 20/1 respectively to replace Mills on one of the flagship BBC Radio shows.”
