DJ Vaughan extends radio contract

The presenter and occasional actor took over the breakfast show from veteran DJ Chris Tarrant in April 2004.

Bosses at the station praised Vaughan's "warmth and humour" and said they were sure the show would thrive under him.

According to industry ratings body Rajar, however, his audience has fallen to 782,000 - almost 600,000 less than he inherited from Tarrant.

Figures released last October showed Vaughan still commands the largest number of listeners in the capital.

But they also showed Jamie Theakston, Vaughan's breakfast rival on Heart, has a marginally larger audience share as people listen to his show longer.

'Tremendous challenge'

"I inherited London's number one breakfast show three years ago from a living legend with 17 years under his belt," said Vaughan.

"To keep the show in the top spot with that kind of legacy has been a tremendous challenge, particularly given the intensity of the competition.

"The markets changed and so have we," he continued. "I've got a great team around me and the show is going from strength to strength."

"We are confident that the show will thrive in 2007 with Johnny at the helm," said Steve Orchard, group operations director of station owner GCap Media.

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