Ken says: Nothing stays the same forever and I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2 when I reach the end of my current contract in March. In a statement, Bruce said: "Nothing stays the same forever and I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2 when I reach the end of my current contract in March. They are doing their best to scupper his chances on Greatest Hits., A second source claimed that BBC was trying to claw back control, adding: They missed the boat with renegotiating his contract and decided they needed to get back in the driving seat rather than have Ken leading the narrative., Dan Cocker, a radio producer who works for the BBC and commercial stations, tweeted: Greatest Hits are promoting their new asset as much as possible. Ben Cooper, chief content and music officer at Bauer Audio UK which owns Greatest Hits Radio, said: "Ken Bruce is a broadcasting legend, with the biggest radio show in the UK, so as well as today being an exciting announcement for Greatest Hits Radio and its growing audience, it is a hugely significant moment for the industry. You dont think of any other DJ when you think of that slot- he's made it his own. Ken's show is famous for PopMaster, a quiz which has run for 25 years, Tracks of My Years, where a famous person chooses their favourite records and more recently, The Piano Room, featuring live music from a range of great artists. See you in April! I have been here for quite a long time now, and it possibly is time to move over and let somebody else have a go, the DJ said in a statement. In 1984, he landed his first regular slot presenting the Saturday Late Show before taking over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Sir Terry Wogan the following year. Bruce joins a Radio 2 exodus which began with Chris Evanss departure for Virgin Radio in 2019 and now includes Vanessa Feltz, Simon Mayo, Paul OGrady, Craig Charles and Graham Norton. Ken has also presented Radio 2s coverage of Eurovision since 1988, and has been a regular presenter of Sunday Night is Music Night. The DJ has taken on double shifts - covering Ken's Radio 2 morning show of 9.30am until 12noon as well as co-hosting his own regular show on BBC Radio 1 from 1pm until 3.30pm with . Trevor Nelson, Rylan Clark, Claudia Winkleman, Dermot O'Leary and Jo Whiley are among the names who could be considered for Bruce's slot. Ken has been treated appallingly after his many years of service, one insider said. Bruce, 71, said "the time is right" for him to leave, announcing the news on Tuesday's show. You can listen back to the most recent instalments via BBC Sounds. Fans of Ken Bruce's BBC Radio 2 show were left devastated by the news that his last BBC Radio 2 show will air next Friday, rather than the end of March. "I am absolutely over the moon, I really am.". Ken Bruce has revealed the fate of his much-loved PopMaster quiz after announcing that he's departing BBC Radio 2. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Vernon Kay admitted he's got some 'big boots to fill', Ken Bruce is leaving Radio 2 at the end of this week, Tess is 'over the moon' Vernon is joining the Radio 2 family, Vernon got emotional on the Radio 2 breakfast show, Ken says leaving the station was entirely his decision, BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce says he's been forced out early as he's replaced by Vernon Kay, Vernon Kay 'to replace' Ken Bruce as star leaves Radio 2 for rival station, Nicki Chapman says goodbye to Radio 2 listeners but issues statement on BBC future, Karren Brady says Radio 2's 'purge of the old-timers' has backfired as figures plunge, Radio 2 listening figures plunge as fans abandon station after veteran DJs dumped. He has been part of every significant occasion marked by BBC Radio 2 and we, his faithful audience and the Radio 2 all-star line-up will miss his warm humour and wit. BBC Radio 2 tweeted: We have some news After 31 years of presenting the 9.30am-midday weekday show Ken Bruce has decided to leave. BBC Radio 2. Geordieyodel Posts: 823. Read about our approach to external linking. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric', The people who want you to believe the Ukraine war is fake, What we've learned from Alex Murdaugh murder trial. Ken Bruce leaves BBC: Greatest Hits Radio releases video announcement of new host, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Paul OGrady expresses disappointment with BBC Radio 2: Its not what it was, JK Rowling says she was bullied off a Harry Potter forum she joined under a pseudonym, Courteney Cox responds to Prince Harrys story about doing mushrooms at her house, Paul OGrady expresses disappointment with BBC Radio 2, Vernon Kay moved to tears over response to replacing Ken Bruce on Radio 2, Ken Bruce claims BBC is making him leave Radio 2 early, Ken Bruce axed early by BBC to prevent him promoting new show, he then told his Twitter followers that, while he had intended to fulfil his contract to the end of March, the corporation had decided it wants me to leave earlier, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay voucher code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK February 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this February, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Radio 2 spokesperson said: Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and its always been known hes leaving in March. . Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said of its musical selections: We are told by listeners that just because they are a certain age, it doesnt mean they dont want to hear new music.. Watch the best stripped-back live music from the Elton John piano. HP10 9TY. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Bruce joined the BBC in 1977, and spent a year presenting the Radio 2 Breakfast Show before starting in the mid-morning slot in 1986. See you in April!. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Kens show is famous for PopMaster, a quiz which has run for 25 years, Tracks of My Years, where a famous person chooses their favourite records and more recently, The Piano Room, featuring live music from a range of great artists.. Vernon went on to get emotional as he reflected on all the support he has received since he was announced as the new host earlier this month. He moved to mid mornings in 1986, then after a brief stint on late nights and early mornings, he returned to mid mornings in January 1992, where the show's most recent weekly reach was 8.56m (RAJAR, Q3 2022). We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. Vernon's chat on the airwaves comes as his predecessor Ken says he's been forced to leave the station early, explaining last week will air this Friday, rather than the end of March. To celebrate All Day PopMaster try our tricky quiz. Radio 2 will announce the host and details of a new mid-morning show at a later date. BBC Radio 2 - Ken Bruce The best in music every weekday with Ken Bruce, with live sessions. Ken Bruce is the last link with the old style Radio 2, being around since 1983, and his presentation style is so much better than Zoe Ball's, who seems to spend most of her time harking back to the nineties and what reality show she was watching the previous night. Congratulations on a brilliant career.. Due to your consent preferences, youre not able to view this. He has also fronted Radio 2s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1988. Were going to miss you lots Ken and want to congratulate you on a fantastic career at the BBC. Going to be so missed on air, but personally Ill miss having a beer in a foreign country discussing anything and everything whilst at Eurovision. The new Radio 2 DJ addressed the big shoes he has to fill when he takes over from Ken later this year, and admitted he was hesitant to take over the slot from such 'a legend' - amid major backlash from listeners upset at the latest schedule shake-up. Accessibility links. Video, Rescuers search wreckage of deadly Greece train crash, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Lets enjoy the week ahead! Bruce's current 9.30am to 12 noon programme, including the daily PopMaster quiz, is the most popular show on British radio with more than 8.5million listeners a week. The broadcaster, 71, said "it's time for a change", announcing the news on Tuesday's show. Bruce, 72, announced that he will leave BBC Radio 2 when his current contract comes to an end in March. +5 Numbers: Radio 2's. Bruce, 71, said "the time is right" for him to leave, announcing the news on Tuesday's show. Ken had taken over the Radio 2 breakfast show in January 1985 so this is from the start of his sixth week. Read Ken's book, he says he much prefers doing morning radio. On January 17, 2023 Ken Bruce shocked his adoring Radio 2 audience when he announced her had quit his mid-morning show. Ken Bruce announced his exit from the station in January saying he's off . John Motson, legendary BBC football commentator, dies aged 77, BBC India offices raided by tax officials in New Delhi and Mumbai, BBC chairman Richard Sharp retains support of Rishi Sunak despite Boris Johnson loan row, "I will always be very proud of my association with the BBC and Radio 2 in particular and I'd like to thank everyone who has helped to make the mid-morning show a success. "I would stress that this is entirely my decision . The segment was introduced to Bruces programme in 1998 and usually airs at around 10.30am each day. The move was announced on BBC Radio 2 at 2pm on Friday (24th February) after being leaked by The Sun on Thursday evening. 23/02/20 - 12:27 #30. Bruce started at the BBC in his early 30s and has said thathe would always be proud of his association with the BBC and Radio 2, but that he wanted to continue his career in a slightly different way in the next few years. They have no choice but to let him go sooner rather than later. Ben Cooper, chief content and music officer at Bauer Audio UK, said: Ken Bruce is a broadcasting legend, with the biggest radio show in the UK, so as well as today being an exciting announcement for Greatest Hits Radio and its growing audience, it is a hugely significant moment for the industry. In February, he then told his Twitter followers that, while he had intended to fulfil his contract to the end of March, the corporation had decided it wants me to leave earlier and his last show will be Friday 3 March. With Radio 2 inserting an additional three weeks, it does give the chance for some listeners to calm a little while Gary Davies takes over., A Radio 2 spokesperson told The Independent: Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and its always been known hes leaving in March. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Now, Bruce has revealed that PopMaster, which he bought the rights to when the quiz debuted, will continue on his new Greatest Hits Radio show when it launches in the spring. Date of Ken Bruce's final day on Radio 2 and why he's leaving for Greatest Hits early, When presenter Steve Allen left LBC and his statement following immediate exit, If PopMaster will continue on BBC Radio 2 after Ken Bruce leaves, BBCs radio legends is leaving the broadcaster after 30 years, Chris Evanss departure for Virgin Radio in 2019, PopMaster, a quiz which has run for 25 years, Sophie Rundle: Motherhood has made me too tired to people-please', BBC bids to smooth over Ken Bruce exit row ahead of DJ's thorny last week at Radio 2, Phew! Date of Ken Bruce's final day on Radio 2 and why he's leaving for Greatest Hits early, When presenter Steve Allen left LBC and his statement following immediate exit, If PopMaster will continue on BBC Radio 2 after Ken Bruce leaves, 31 years as the presenter of the Radio 2 mid-morning weekday show, he will leave BBC Radio 2 when his current contract comes to an end in March, after 45 years on the BBC it was time for a change, as bringing PopMaster to his Greatest Hits Radio show, specific regional frequencies for the show on Planet Radio, Sophie Rundle: Motherhood has made me too tired to people-please', BBC bids to smooth over Ken Bruce exit row ahead of DJ's thorny last week at Radio 2, Phew! Ken Bruce will join Greatest Hits Radio in April after leaving his mid-morning weekday slot on BBC Radio 2 after 31 years in March, it has been announced. He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. 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