Ken Bruce to leave BBC Radio 2 for Greatest Hits Radio

BBC Radio 2 morning presenter Ken Bruce has announced he’s leaving the station at the end of March.

He slipped in the news just before the end of his show on Tuesday morning saying it’s time to try something else and it is his decision to leave the BBC.

Ken added it’s sad but happy as he ends his current contract in March.

Following his announcement, Bauer announced Ken is joining Greatest Hits Radio to replace Mark Goodier from 10am till 1pm weekdays.

He’ll be doing PopMaster along with music from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

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 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!’

He added: “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.”

Lorna Clarke, Director, BBC Music, says: “Ken is an extraordinary broadcaster with an exceptional career over many decades. 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. Congratulations on a brilliant career.”

Ken joined the BBC in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland staff presenter. 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. 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.

Radio 2 will announce the host and details of the new mid-morning show at a later date.

Ben Cooper, Chief Content & Music Officer, Bauer Audio UK added: “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. What a fantastic start to a great year of increased ambition and innovation for Bauer Media Audio.”