Vernon Kay takes Ken Bruce's radio crown but loses some of his listeners

Vernon Kay's BBC Radio 2 show has 6.9 million listeners, according to new audience figures - 1.3 million fewer than predecessor Ken Bruce pulled in before he left the mid-morning slot.

Kay took over in May after Bruce left the BBC for Greatest Hits Radio.

Kay's ratings mean he has the most popular radio show in the UK.

But Bruce, going head-to-head with his Radio 2 successor, has increased the audience for his new Greatest Hits show to 3.7 million, Rajar said.

The ratings body publishes audience figures four times a year, and the latest set - covering July, August and September - is the first to cover a full three-month period for Kay.

The host began his first day in May by promising long-standing listeners "more of the same".

BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore said: "Radio 2 continues to be the country's most popular station and I'm delighted with the flying start Vernon Kay has made to mid-mornings as the UK's biggest radio show, bringing his warmth, energy and charisma to listeners up and down the country."

Radio 2 controller Helen Thomas added that she was "proud that Radio 2 remains the UK's most listened to radio station".

The station registered 13.5 million weekly listeners - one million down on the same period last year.

Bruce, who will be made an MBE on Friday, spent 31 years as Radio 2's mid-morning host.

He said he was was "delighted" to hear he had helped his new station reach its biggest audience yet - 6.7 million per week.

"It's been an honour to share this new adventure with those that have made the switch, and talking of honours I have an appointment to keep this Friday, which explains why I'm not on air this week," he said.

Bruce will be made an MBE for services to radio, charity and autism awareness. His son, Murray, has autism.

Earlier this summer, he labelled the honour a "great surprise and privilege".