Ed Vaizey claims he became 'an avid listener' to the digital station over the weekend, after calling for BBC cuts last week

Ed Vaizey, the shadow culture minister who last week welcomed the BBC's package of cuts, has changed his tune, calling for the digital radio station 6 Music to be saved.

Last week Vaizey commented in the Guardian that the BBC's proposals to cut internet, radio and TV services were "intelligent and sensible".

However, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal that when challenged by an angry fans of the station, he admitted he had not heard the station before but claimed he had become an avid fan over the weekend. This was part of a public backlash over the closure of 6 Music, which included tens of thousands of supporters protesting via Twitter and Facebook.

"Having not listened to 6 Music, I took it on trust that the BBC knew what it was doing in this regard," said Vaizey in response to an email sent by a member of the public who took him to task over his support for the package of cuts.

"Several things have happened since I spoke out. I had no strong views on 6 Music on Friday, I now know it is brilliant with a passionate and articulate fan base – I am now an avid listener to 6 Music. I suspect that 6 Music has doubled its audience. I strongly suspect 6 Music will be saved."

However, Vaizey added that the ultimate decision on the closure, or otherwise, of 6 Music lay with the corporation and the BBC Trust.

He added that he also believed that the package of cuts marked the "beginning of the debate", and although the BBC Trust is due to put out a public consultation on the proposals, "there is no reason to assume that what is proposed is what will happen".

"I decided to support the general thrust of the proposals in public because there are others who want the BBC to go much further in terms of reducing their service," said Vaizey. "I thought it would be helpful to the BBC to signal that their efforts, in trying to reduce the scope of some of their services, were recognised."

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