The veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan, will be replaced by Evans, 43, who currently hosts the afternoon drivetime show.

The decision, announced on Monday, has attracted angry responses from fans, with some claiming they will change stations when Evans takes over.

Hundreds have left angry posts on internet message boards, where many fans said Evans was a “disastrous” choice.

Others have questioned why Radio 2 veterans such as Johnny Walker, Sarah Kennedy or Ken Bruce had been overlooked for the job.

Hitting back at the angry fans, Evans sarcastically claimed he enjoyed the “predicibility” of the negative outbursts from many whom he said were overreacting.

Previously admitting it would be “impossible” to fill his shoes, Evans insisted he would deliver a “first-rate family show” when he becomes the corporation’s morning show host.

“I love the predictability of some of reaction to the events of the last twenty four hours – you’d think they might know better by now,” he wrote on his BBC blog.

“All I can say is thanks for the masses of support the vast majority of you have given to me, the team and the people at Radio 2 regarding our move to the mornings.

“You have my word, the team and I will deliver a first rate show that all the family can listen to together – be it in the kitchen over cornflakes, in the car on the school run, or off to the airport on holiday.”

He added: “We will not let you down. It is a real honour to be entrusted with such an important show and we are more than aware of the job in hand.”

He paid tribute to Sir Terry’s emotional announcement on Monday, who he said was the “classiest of acts”.

He could not have performed this potentially most incendiary and tricky of tasks more gracefully and modestly if he had tried. He really is the classiest of acts,” he added.

Sir Terry said made he made the difficult decision because he “wanted to make my own way to the exit before somebody led me there”.

While he “couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of hosting the flagship show”,

Evans has hosted two breakfast shows in the past – on Virgin and Radio 1 – with his wayward behaviour led to him being sacked from both.

On Monday, Sir Terry confirmed that he is stepping down at the end of the year and will be replaced by Evans.

At 71, Wogan is one of the oldest presenters at a station which is increasingly preoccupied with attracting younger listeners.

Asked if age was a factor in his decision, he said: “The last thing I wanted, or my family wanted, was for someone to say, ‘Oh, he’s not bad for his age, is he?’”

He told Radio 4′s Today programme that he felt as if he could do the show “forever” and would miss his loyal listeners.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my professional career. But I wanted to make my own way to the exit before somebody led me there.”

Confirming his departure on Monday, Wogan thanked listeners for the “endless years, countless hours of morning companionship, friendship, good humour and laughter”.

The decision to say goodbye was a difficult one, he said. “But if not this year, when? Five years, ten? I’d rather leave while we’re in love, as the song says, while the programme is the most popular on British radio, while we still delight in each other’s company.”