DJ who succeeded Evans is replaced

Steve Penk, the disc jockey who stepped into the breach after Virgin Radio sacked Chris Evans for failing to turn up after drinking binges, looks set to depart the station himself after only seven months.

He is to be replaced in the breakfast slot from Monday by Daryl Denham, winner of two radio industry Sony awards, it was announced yesterday.

A station source said Mr Penk had been offered the consolation of an afternoon show but is not expected to accept.

With the last quarter's listening figures due out next week, it is understood Virgin has pre-empted disappointing results by announcing the change.

The station signed Mr Denham from Birmingham's Heart radio before Mr Evans' departure, but were waiting for him to serve his notice.

Initial audience figures suggested Mr Penk did well after joining from Capital Radio. An extra 300,000 listeners tuned in after Mr Evans' departure. But it is believed that a curiosity factor among listeners contributed to the surge, and after that the downward trend begun under Chris Evans continued.

Paul Jackson, Virgin's programme director, said Mr Penk was a great broadcaster. "It's a question of whether he was in the right position at breakfast."