pic.twitter.com/JMLuO9cXvp, BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) January 17, 2023. Bruce said: I feel that after 45 years of full-time broadcasting on BBC Radio its time for a change. Fans of Wright say his successor, Scott Mills, is playing fewer hits from the 60s and 70s, in favour of more recent dance music. One of the BBCs radio legends is leaving the broadcaster after 30 years. The broadcaster started working at the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter. 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. Bruce has also been Radio 2's voice of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1988. "In the meantime, I will always be tremendously proud of my association with the BBC and in particular with Radio 2." What a fantastic start to a great year of increased ambition and innovation for Bauer Media Audio.. 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). "I would stress that this is entirely my decision. 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. The man has raised the bar so high.". Ken Bruce was axed early by Radio 2 after the BBC got 'frustrated' at the station that . The move was announced on BBC Radio 2 at 2pm on Friday (24th February) after being leaked by The Sun on Thursday evening. Read Ken's book, he says he much prefers doing morning radio. Bruce, 72, announced that he will leave BBC Radio 2 when his current contract comes to an end in March. 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. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Im looking forward to getting started and to you joining me for my very first show. 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. His slot is the most. I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up and I would like to continue my career in a slightly different way in the next few years, the details of which will be revealed shortly. Im looking forward to getting started and to you joining me for my very first show. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. He's an absolute legend of broadcaster. 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. Scott started his career at the age of 16 and joined BBC Radio One in 1998. He will remain at the station until the end of March, he said. 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. 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. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Album of the Week and Nigel Harman. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. Obviously I am over the moon and so are my parents and Tess and the kids, but its the Ken Bruce show, and the man has raised the bar so high that Im just so excited to be able to take the reins. He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. The station already features in its presenting ranks the likes of Simon Mayo (who left Radio 2 in 2018), Martin Kemp, Jackie Brambles and Pat Sharp. Thank you for being such a joyful & brilliant part of our lives mate", Meanwhile, former Pointless host and author, Richard Osman replied: "Hopefully you can squeeze in a 'House Of Games' in between. Bauer is believed to have offered Bruce a multi-year contract to jump ship, whereas the BBC was only willing to grant a one-year extension to his 390,000 deal. The much-loved veteran broadcaster will host a new daily show for Bauers station Greatest Hits Radio, taking his iconic PopMaster game with him. Bruce said: What better way to celebrate my 45 years in radio than with a new adventure and a brand-new show on Greatest Hits Radio. 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. Homepage. The broadcaster started working at the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter. BBC Radio 2 is the UKs most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 14.46 million (RAJAR Q3, 2022), and won Station Of The Year at the Music Week 2021 awards. VideoRescuers search wreckage of deadly Greece train crash, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The beloved music quiz has been a staple of the DJ's show since 1998. Bruce promised fans who abandon Radio 2 for his new GHR show that they would hear all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s.. 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. Fans have flooded Bruce's comments section to send their best wishes to the presenter following the news. The broadcasters new Greatest Hits Radio show is due to begin on April 3, and will air between 10:00am-13:00pm GMT. Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033. January 17, 2023, 12:15 pm. Leave him alone. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. A Gannett Company. Listeners, who took to social media to express their shock at Bruces exit, have also rebelled against Radio 2s evolving music policy. 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 . Ken Bruce is mid-mornings. He will be on air every weekday in the mid-morning slot, from 10am until 1pm. Lets enjoy the week ahead!". Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. 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. 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. I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up and I would like to continue my career in a slightly different way in the next few years, the details of which will be revealed shortly. 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., Lorna Clarke, Director, BBC Music, says: Ken is an extraordinary broadcaster with an exceptional career over many decades. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. 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.". I say brand new but there will still be PopMaster, me and my musings and all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s. 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. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. The 71-year-old said he will be leaving the show next Friday rather than at the end of March as intended. 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. 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. Thank you for the countless joys of your wonderful show, and long may they continue in your new home. "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. 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. The DJ has released a series of PopMaster books, and hosted numerous Eurovision, celebrity and live specials throughout the years. 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). . Ken has also presented Radio 2's coverage of Eurovision since 1988, and has been a regular presenter of Sunday Night is Music Night. In a statement on Twitter, the broadcaster said: "I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday. SouthCity Posts: 10,482. The broadcaster, 72, was due to leave his mid-morning weekday show after 31 years at the end of March. Ken is nowhere to be found. Enter Ken's fiendish music quiz on air or play along at home with the official scorecard. The broadcaster will then present his first show on Greatest Hits Radio on Monday 3 April. Celeb obsessed? Vernon is the new host of the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2, and will launch his new show in May. "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. 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". He will join Greatest Hits Radio in April. The radio personality has not mentioned any details about his exit or leave from the show. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. 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.. ", The star continued to say: "I'm obviously over the moon but it's the Ken Bruce show. 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The networks presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Rev. Were going to miss you lots Ken and want to congratulate you on a fantastic career at the BBC.. Theyve also been generous. His first regular slot on Radio 2 was the Saturday Late Show in 1984, and the following year he fronted the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, taking over from Terry Wogan. Bruce, 72, announced that he will leave BBC Radio 2 when his current contract comes to an end in March. Speaking about his new gig last week, Vernon said: "To be asked to step into those big shoes it was a big deep breath, Ill be honest with you. Ken Bruce announced his exit from the station in January saying he's off . In a subsequent statement issued by Greatest Hits Radio, Bruce said Popmaster would feature in his new programme, which will begin on 3 April and will be on air from 10:00-13:00. Rescuers search wreckage of deadly Greece train crash. See you in April!. Matt Deegan, creative director of Folder Media, said: "If Ken finished at . Entertainment & arts reporter BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce has announced on air that he is leaving the station after 31 years hosting its weekday mid-morning show. The dad-of-two continued to recall the moment he told his parent he would be taking over the reigns from Ken. "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. Bruce, 72, announced that he will leave BBC Radio 2 when his current contract comes to an end in March. Scott Mills has replaced Ken for an undisclosed amount of time on Radio 2. All available episodes 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! A beautiful man whos always been so lovely to me at @BBCRadio2 . Any commercial network would have let him go immediately after announcing his intended departure. I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up and I would like to continue my career in a slightly different way in the next few years, the details of which will be revealed shortly. 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.. The BBC has not yet confirmed who will replace Bruce, however Radio 2 often promotes presenters from within its existing roster. contact the editor here. 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.. The segment was introduced to Bruces programme in 1998 and usually airs at around 10.30am each day. Watch: Ken Bruce announces Radio 2 departure live on air. He went on to admit his parents, who are big fans of Ken's show, even jokingly piled on the pressure when it was announced he would be taking over from the veteran Radio 2 DJ. Ken Bruce will be leaving BBC Radio 2 after 31 years of presenting on the radio station. The news comes after theScottish broadcasting veteran Bruce confirmed that he would be stepping down from his mid-morning show for31 years. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's 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. "However I feel that after 45 years of full-time broadcasting on BBC Radio it's time for a change. Its been a tremendously happy time for me: Ive made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues.. Ken has also presented Radio 2s coverage of Eurovision since 1988, and has been a regular presenter of Sunday Night is Music Night. In April, the Radio DJ will be moving to Bauers Greatest Hits Radio to present a new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm. @RealKenBruce pic.twitter.com/uPMdMSGd5D, Rylan Clark, who hosts a Radio 2 show on Saturdays, wrote on Twitter: "Going to be so missed on air, but personally I'll miss having a beer in a foreign country discussing anything and everything whilst at Eurovision. predecessor Ken says he's been forced to leave the station early, Vanessa Feltz all smiles in sparkly dress during night out after split from Ben Ofeodu, Matt Hancock IGNORED Chris Whitty's advice to test people entering care homes for Covid at the start of pandemic, bombshell leaked messages claim, Great British Bake Off to undergo huge revamp after flurry of viewer complaints, Moment police swoop to arrest boyfriend on the run with his aristocratic lover for 54 days, GMB's Susanna Reid forced to change outfit after fears it was too 'racy' for morning TV, Phil Foden makes Pep Guardiola point as Man City crush Bristol City, Dozens dead and more injured as head-on horror smash between packed passenger and cargo trains 'pulverised' carriages sparking huge blaze with rescue bid under way, King 'throws Harry and Meghan out of Frogmore and offers keys to Andrew', Ed Sheeran reveals wife Cherry had 'inoperable' tumour during pregnancy, Teary GMB guest calls late dad 'lamb to slaughter' amid Matt Hancock Covid WhatsApp claims, Fears heighten for missing aristocrat's baby after freezing night as police search continues, BREAKING: Just Fontaine - striker who scored most goals in single World Cup - dies, Channel 4 'axes reality show' after just one series in the latest blow to programmes, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers. 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