The Virgin Radio DJ introduced a live song from old pal Richard Ashcroft, before announcing he will be adding a Sunday show to his groundbreaking stint on the station
CHRIS Evans opened his brand-new Virgin Radio breakfast show this morning with a live studio performance of Lucky Man by Richard Ashcroft.
He told listeners at 6.30am: "I say, this is very exciting. It's so great to be back on Virgin. I have to say it's a real treat. We are blessed, we could not be more grateful."
The 52-year-old radio legend added: "There's been a lot of talk about what the first song is. How about we get a musician to play a song live? How about Richard Ashcroft, everybody?"
Richard, 47, who was lead singer of The Verve, played their hit Lucky Man, saying: "This one's for Chris."
The DJ then announced he would be hosting a new Sunday show on Virgin, explaining: "It's 10 till 1. That's something we might be doing."
He also paid tribute to Zoe Ball, who has taken his old slot on Radio 2, saying: "Zoe thanks for your text message last night. It was very very sweet of you. Always loved you, always will."
You can listen to Chris Evans every weekday from 6.30am to 10am on Virgin Radio.
The station is available nationally on DAB digital radio, online at and on mobile via the Virgin Radio app.
Download the app on and from .
Later in the show he will be talking to guests Paul Whitehouse, Fay Ripley, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan.
Chris then did shout-outs to his fans around the globe who have moved with him to the station, dubbing them the "Good morning world club".
The DJ grinned as he turned up at the new state-of-the-art studios in The News Building in London at 6am this morning, half an hour before he was due on air.
Wearing a multicoloured hat and a camel-coloured coat, Chris told waiting fans that the show was going to be "great", insisting: "Give it a listen."
Chris has brought some friends from his old station, with sports newsreader Vassos Alexander, producer Meera Depala and executive producer Ellie Davis making the switch with him.
The star announced in September that he was quitting Radio 2 and signing up with Virgin - whose ultimate parent company is The Sun publisher News UK - calling it his “spiritual home”.
Virgin Radio is available nationally on DAB digital radio, online at and on mobile via the Virgin Radio app. Download the app on and from .
