Ken Bruce breaks silence on BBC Radio 2 exit and takes a swipe at bosses as Vernon Kay replaces him
KEN Bruce has said his Radio 2 show will end next Friday as he took a swipe at BBC bosses.
It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed Vernon Kay will take over the mid-morning show following the announcement Scottish veteran DJ Ken would be stepping down.
Taking to Twitter on Friday night, Ken said: “I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday.
“I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!”
Vernon, 48, has been filling in for Radio 2 hosts including Zoe Ball and Scott Mills, and has proven a huge hit with listeners.
A source told The Sun: “This is the biggest, most coveted gig in radio.
“Ken’s show is the most listened to in Europe so Vernon has massive shoes to fill. But he’s such a warm, easy presenter and listeners have really taken to him.
“Vernon has a raft of fresh, new ideas and content, but will not be trying to reinvent the wheel here – he knows how important this show is to listeners, and wants them to feel welcome and safe.
“Everyone at the Beeb is hugely excited to have him on board.”
Contracts are understood to have been signed last week, with a formal announcement expected on Monday.
Vernon, married to Strictly star Tess Daly, will kick off his first show on April 3rd.
A spokesperson for Vernon declined to comment.
News of the Bolton-born star’s appointment comes five weeks after Ken, 71, stunned the world of radio by announcing he was quitting the BBC after three decades.
He will join commercial rival Greatest Hits radio, taking cult quiz segment Popmaster with him.
The Scottish DJ’s move comes in the wake of accusations of ageism at the station following an exodus of older stars.
Steve Wright, 68, Paul O’Grady, 67, Vanessa Feltz, 60, and Simon Mayo, 64, have all left following the controversial shake-ups.
A source said at the time of Ken’s departure: “Ken is Europe’s most listened-to DJ and has nothing left to prove at the BBC.
“He’s had an incredible time working there and is so grateful for the loyalty of all his listeners.
“But in recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in direction, with a drive to attract a younger audience.
“The music has become edgier and more modern and the DJs seemingly ever-younger, which is a bit concerning for the old guard.
“Ken is still hugely ambitious and the BBC actually offered him a new deal.
“But after some months of negotiations, he decided the time was right for new opportunities.
“The fact he is taking Popmaster with him is a real coup for Greatest Hits — and a hammer blow for the Beeb. The very real fear is that listeners will leave in their droves.”
Ken regularly drew more than nine million listeners and has interviewed stars from Sir Rod Stewart, 78, to Beyoncé, 41. He said yesterday “the time is right” to move on from the weekday mid-morning show which he has presented since 1986.
In his press release for Greatest Hits Radio, he also pointedly said he looked forward to playing music from the 1970s to the 1990s — not mentioning the Noughties music Radio 2 often plays nowadays.
He said: “What better way to celebrate my 45 years in radio than with a new adventure.”
Ken, who joined the Beeb in 1977, said in his BBC statement: “Nothing stays the same forever. I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2. I’ve always felt I’ve got something more to prove.
“I hope when people hear the news they will say, ‘Sorry to hear you’re going Ken, but maybe I’ll follow you to wherever it is you’re going’.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’ve seen a lot of speculation about who will take over the much coveted mid-morning slot on Radio 2, and we’ll confirm the new presenter in the near future.”
