bye bye beeb
Ken Bruce says ‘I should have left Radio 2 sooner’ as he opens up about ‘disappointing’ BBC exit
KEN Bruce has spoken out about his 'disappointing' BBC exit.
The 71-year-old, who presented BBC Radio 2 weekdays between 9.30am to midday on the BBC, turned down a new contract in January after becoming concerned by the corporation’s drive for younger talent.
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Ken left the Beeb in March after over 30 years.
He started his new job at Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio earlier this month.
The radio presenter appeared on Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Weekend today and opened up about the new chapter in his life.
Ken told Alan: "The new job has started and I'm really enjoying it
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"If I look back, I think I stayed too long there (the BBC). That's the over-riding feeling I have.
"Maybe I should have done this sooner, as it does refresh and re-energise you.
"I am feeling like this is a new chapter, I'm trying to climb again, not decline.
"I'm sorry to be leaving Radio 2 but I had been there a long time.
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"Sometimes you feel it is time to move. I wanted to try something else while I am young and alive enough!"
He was also asked by Alan if he was 'satisfied' with what happened.
Ken claimed: "These things are never as tidy as you want.
";By and large it was OK, but towards the end there was this little dispute about finishing dates.
"It was disappointing but it has passed now, it doesn't matter. The new job has started."
Earlier this month Ken admitted he was "struggling" following his exit from Radio 2 after 30 years on air.
'"I'm struggling to work my day out," said Ken.
"I think I'm going to be going to bed an hour later because I just have to squeeze everything into the remaining hours of the day.
"Once I get my body clock right I think I'll be alright, but I'm really enjoying having a half-hour extra in bed every morning."
Ken used to be live on air at 9.30am, but is now on an hour later for his new show.
He has been temporarily replaced by Gary Davies, but Vernon Kay will take over later this year.
His departure comes in the wake of a series of top talent being edged out including Steve Wright, 68, the late Paul O’Grady, 67, Vanessa Feltz, 60, and Simon Mayo, 64.
A source told The Sun: “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.
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“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 hosted his BBC radio 2 show from 1986 to 1990, and again between 1992 to 2023.
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