Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2? When Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2? Why Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2?
by Samina | Updated Jan 24, 2023
Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2?
Ken joined the BBC in 1977 and is one of the station's longest-serving hosts. In 1984, he landed his first regular Radio 2 slot.
He has now joined the ranks of other presenters who have left the station in the last year. Paul O'Grady, Vanessa Feltz, and, most recently, afternoon host Steve Wright, who left the BBC after two decades. The sad news is that he is leaving BBC Radio 2.
When Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2?
Bruce's show on Radio 2 is widely regarded as the most popular on British radio. According to the BBC, he had over 8.5 million weekly listeners, but he will now work on rival station Greatest Hits Radio.
Bruce stated in the announcement that he will continue to work for the BBC until the end of March. Fortunately, listeners won't be without the broadcaster for long.
According to a statement released by Greatest Hits Radio, Bruce's new show will begin on April 3 and will run from 10:00 to 13:00.
Why Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2?
Bruce announced on his radio show that he was leaving: "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."
"It's been a tremendously happy time for me: I've made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues. However I feel that after 45 years of full-time broadcasting on BBC Radio it's time for a change."
"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 I'd like to thank everyone who has helped to make the mid-morning show a success."
Who Is Ken Bruce?
Ken Bruce, 71, is a well-known Scottish broadcaster whose radio career began in 1980 as a presenter on BBC Radio Scotland's Radio 2 Ballroom; four years later, he became a regular on BBC Radio 2. Bruce began hosting his now-famous Radio 2 mid-morning weekday slot in 1986; he took a break from the show in 1990 but returned in 1992. He has been on the air every weekday from 9.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the past 31 years.
Ken Bruce Show
Ken Bruce's show is heavily focused on music, with regular segments like Record of the Week and Tracks of My Years. Every day at 10.15 a.m., Bruce plays a dedicated love song. The PopMaster first appeared on the show in 1998. The final part of Bruce's show, which debuted in 1998 and is still broadcast today, challenges contestants to name three top 75 UK hits by a specific act in 10 seconds.
How Much Is Ken Bruce Paid For His Slot On BBC Radio 2?
Bruce was paid in the range of £385,000 - £389,999 for his work with the BBC over the past year, according to the BBC's highest earners list for 2022. The list excludes stars employed by BBC Studios, the company's commercial arm.
Bruce was ranked 11th, ahead of DJ Lauren Laverne on £380,000-£384,999 and behind BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James on £390,000-£394,999. Gary Lineker, a football pundit, topped the list for the fifth year in a row, with earnings ranging from £1,350,000 to £1,354,999.
What Are Ken's Future Plans?
After his contract with BBC Radio 2 expires in March, Ken Bruce will join rival Greatest Hits Radio in April. He will host a show on Bauer radio from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. alongside presenters such as Simon Mayo at Drivetime and Jackie Brambles in the early evening.
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. 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. I'm looking forward to getting started and to you joining me for my very first show. See you in April!"
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."
Radio 2 has not yet confirmed a replacement for Bruce's slot. Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, and Matt Lucas are among those rumored to be in the running.
Is Ken Bruce Leaving Radio 2- FAQs
John Robertson The mid-morning show he hosted on BBC Radio 2 every weekday from 1986 until 1990 and again since 1992 is what made Bruce, a Scottish broadcaster, so well-known.
BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce has announced on air that he is leaving the station after40 years hosting its weekday mid-morning show.
"He have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2," he said, adding he'd had "a tremendously happy time" but it was "time for a change".
On Tuesday (17 January), the veteran radio host said that he had decided to step away from the corporation, where he has been employed for 40 years.