He went on to explain. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. Please report any comments that break our rules. Ken Bruce is taking his millions of fans elsewhere to enjoy his music selections, humour and quizzes. In April, the Radio DJ will be moving to Bauers Greatest Hits Radio to present a new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm. Until Kay takes over later this year,Sounds Of The 80s show presenter Gary Davies will stand in from March 6. Upcoming episodes of Ken Bruce. "What shoes to fill, Ken's last week has got us all in our feels," Zoe mused, as she spoke at length about Ken's glistening career. "First thing my dad said in the background my mum always picks up, so in the background my dad went, Big boots them, son'," Vernon recalled when chatting to Zoe. He has also fronted Radio 2s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1988. The broadcaster started working at the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter. He has fronted his mid-morning show since 1992 where its most recent weekly reach totalled 8.56m people. 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. Gary Davies, who currently hosts the stations Sounds of the 80s show and often deputises for Bruce on his show, is thought to be the favourite to take the slot permanently. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, One source said veteran broadcaster has been treated appallingly, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Any commercial network would have let him go immediately after announcing his intended departure. One of the station's longest-serving hosts, he joined the BBC in 1977 and took his first regular Radio 2 slot in 1984. BBC Radio 2 has seen a series of stars leaving the radio channel in the last two years including Paul O'Grady, Steve Wright, Craig Charles, Simon Mayo and Vanessa Feltz. Ken Bruce has today announced that he has decided to leave BBC Radio 2 in March after 31 years of presenting the 9.30am midday weekday show. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. 23/02/20 - 12:27 #30. 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. They have no choice but to let him go sooner rather than later. The 67-year-old broadcaster spoke out following the news Bruce was leaving the BBC . The man has raised the bar so high.". Accessibility links. What's he waiting for? Bruce will be temporarily replaced by Gary Davies on BBC Radio 2 until Vernon Kay steps into the 9.30am slot in May. The networks presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Rev. Heres everything you need to know about when hes ending his 45-year tenure on the BBC, who could replace him and how to tune in to his new show. Im looking forward to getting started and to you joining me for my very first show. Editors' Code of Practice. He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. After brief forays into late nights and early mornings, he returned to mid mornings at the start of 1992, where he has remained ever since. Ken Bruce has revealed the fate of his much-loved PopMaster quiz after announcing that he's departing BBC Radio 2. They dont want him out there promoting himself when hes about to move on to another station. Greatest Hits Radio tweeted: "We've . Bruce told listeners: "I'll reach the end of my current contract in March, and so at that point I will be moving on from Radio 2. The segment was introduced to Bruces programme in 1998 and usually airs at around 10.30am each day. A Radio 2 spokesperson said: Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and its always been known hes leaving in March. You can listen back to the most recent instalments via BBC Sounds. Its been a tremendously happy time for me: Ive made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues., Lorna Clarke, director of BBC Music, said: Ken is an extraordinary broadcaster with an exceptional career over many decades. Thank you for everything youve done and the smiles you gave Whiters and I on Countdown so many times Onto your next huge chapter.". So, why is Scott Mills on Radio 2 this week and where is Ken Bruce? VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Kate Bottley, Ken Bruce, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Cerys Matthews, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot OLeary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, DJ Spoony, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Johnnie Walker, Jo Whiley, Claudia Winkleman and Steve Wright. See you in April! 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. 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. Rescuers search wreckage of deadly Greece train crash. Something went wrong, please try again later. Why is Scott Mills on Radio 2 today? Ken joined the BBC in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland staff presenter. Watch: Ken Bruce announces Radio 2 departure live on air. The broadcaster, 71, confirmed on Tuesday (January 17) that he would be leaving the station in March to join Greatest Hits Radio. Owain Wyn Evans, who is taking over as the station's early breakfast host, described him as "a legend". BBC Radio 2. All rights reserved. "In the meantime, I will always be tremendously proud of my association with the BBC and in particular with Radio 2." RADIO 2 presenter Ken Bruce has pocketed a BBC pay increase of nearly 40 per cent amid claims that he was one of the corporation's star names who had faced investigation by the taxman.. Bruce . As well as bringing PopMaster to his Greatest Hits Radio show, Bruce promises me and my musings and all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s.. Congratulations on a brilliant career.. BBC Radio 2. The presenter, 72, has admitted that he was "a little surprised and disappointed" following the broadcaster's decision to cut his contract short. Ken Bruce. Its been a tremendously happy time for me: Ive made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues.. In a statement afterwards, Ken said it was "time for a change". It can also be found on Freeview channel 716 and Sky channel 0151. A Gannett Company. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Veteran radio presenter Ken Bruce has announced he's stepping back from his Radio 2 morning show after 31 years to join commercial station Greatest Hits . And this Spring, Radio 2 presents a stellar range of brilliant live music (including a Country extravaganza), world exclusive interviews and exciting new programming. Bruce will present his final 9.30am to midday show on March 3. The BBC is yet to announce who will replace Bruce in mid mornings, but if previous examples are anything to go by his successor is likely to come from its existing crop of presenters. Geordieyodel Posts: 823. The broadcaster, 72, was due to leave his mid-morning weekday show after 31 years at the end of March. 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). 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! Matt Deegan, creative director of Folder Media, said: If Ken finished at Radio 2 on Friday and then started at Greatest Hits on Monday, it makes it very easy for listeners to switch across. Bruce, 72, announced that he will leave BBC Radio 2 when his current contract comes to an end in March. Bruce started at the BBC in his early 30s and has said that he would "always be proud" of his association with the BBC and Radio 2, but that he wanted to continue his career "in a slightly. Celeb obsessed? Lets enjoy the week ahead!". Speaking on Friday,Bruce revealed thathe had intended to fulfil his contract at Radio 2 which was due to run out at the end of March. Bruce is one of Radio 2s longest-serving DJs, having joined the BBC in 1977 before picking up a regular slot in 1984 (via BBC News). Greatest Hits Radio tweeted: Weve been keeping a big secret We are delighted to announce that legendary broadcaster @RealKenBruce will be joining the Greatest Hits Radio family in April.. After a career spanning three decades at the broadcaster, he is leaving for pastures new in March. Available now Nigel Harman 57:00 All available. Speaking with Zoe on Radio 2 this morning, Vernon gushed how excited he was to be joining the station and paid tribute to Ken ahead of the replacing the broadcasting legend. ", Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts. "I would stress that this is entirely my decision. Bruce has been a fixture on Radio 2 since the mid-1980s, Bruce said his new show would include "Popmaster, me and my musings and all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s". 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. "My dad is a lorry driver and I said this when I joined Radio 2 and started standing in for Steve Wright, so weve always had Radio 2 on in the background. 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. The BBC confirmed that Ken Bruce would be replaced by Vernon Kay with the new host taking over in May. Nothing stays the same forever "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.". Ken Bruce has announced he is leaving BBC Radio 2 "after 45 years of broadcasting on BBC Radio" as "it's time for a change" his statement reads. Announcing Bruces departure on 17 January, Radio 2 tweeted: We have some news After 31 years of presenting the 9.30am-midday weekday show Ken Bruce has decided to leave. He has also presented Radio 2's coverage of Eurovision since 1988. See you in April!. Ken Bruce was axed early by Radio 2 after the BBC got 'frustrated' at the station that . Album of the Week and Nigel Harman. To celebrate All Day PopMaster try our tricky quiz. Im a little surprised and disappointed.. The move was announced on BBC Radio 2 at 2pm on Friday (24th February) after being leaked by The Sun on Thursday evening. 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. Why TV and radio presenters are leaving the BBC, Steve Wright signs off from Radio 2 afternoon show, Paul O'Grady signs off final Radio 2 show, Vanessa Feltz leaving her two BBC radio shows, How radio is providing 'friendship and escapism', Dozens killed after two trains collide in Greece, Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds' as trains crashed, Rescuers search wreckage of deadly Greece train crash. BBC broadcasting legend Ken Bruce is leaving Radio 2 after 31 years presenting his weekday mid-morning show. Ken Bruce said: "What better way to celebrate my forty-five years in radio than with a new adventure and a brand-new show on Greatest . He added that BBC had decided it wants me to leave earlier. He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Leave him alone. Enter Ken's fiendish music quiz on air or play along at home with the official scorecard. 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. Kenneth Robertson Bruce (born 2 February 1951) is a Scottish broadcaster who is best known for hosting his long-running weekday mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2 from 1986 to 1990, and then again from 1992. Congratulations on a brilliant career.". The decision has been taken to stifle Bruces self-promotion ahead of him joining the Bauer-owned station from 3 April, according to sources who spoke to The Times. After 31 years of presenting the 9:30am-midday weekday show Ken Bruce has decided to leave. He said: "One of the best things that has happened in the past few days is every single person on Radio 2 has messaged me and sent me an amazing either a voicemail, email, a Whatsapp just saying how overjoyed that Im joining the family Im getting quite emotional.". Ken Bruce will be leaving BBC Radio 2 after 31 years of presenting on the radio station. All rights reserved. I will always be very proud of my association with the BBC and Radio 2 in particular and Id like to thank everyone who has helped to make the mid-morning show a success.. He will remain at the station until the end of March, he said. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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