Radio legend Ken Bruce has reflected on the BBC’s silence regarding his show's success as he opened up on his exit last year.
The 72-year-old had hosted his Radio 2 show for almost three decades when he left in January 2023, stating the broadcaster had asked him to step down from his role before his contract had ended.
Bruce has candidly commented on his departure from the corporation, explaining the BBC didn’t publicise any news when his Radio 2 show became “the biggest on air”.
“I didn't want any hoo-ha, so when my show became the biggest show on radio, I didn't want to say anything about it but I kind of thought the BBC should,” he recalled.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Bruce added: “I wasn't expecting to be carried on a litter with people strewing palms in front of me, but I thought, surely that's worth a mention? As far as I'm aware, it wasn't mentioned by the BBC at all. Ever.”
He went on to tell the publication he needed “a little change in life” and insisted he’s enjoying his role at Greatest Hits Radio.
Ken Bruce was on BBC Radio 2 for nearly three decades
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Bruce also gave some insight into his exit from Radio 2 in September, explaining he didn’t want to be seen as a “grumpy old man” by young colleagues.
Chatting to Gyles Brandreth for his podcast Rosebud, 72-year-old Ken said: “There was a point of saying that I can’t enthuse over all the new music I’m having to play as much as I could over the old music. And I didn’t want to get to the stage where I was badmouthing some of the music [or] pretending to like it.”
He added: “I was the youngster on the station and then almost overnight I became the veteran, and I didn’t want to become the old grump in the corner saying things aren’t what they used to be."
Nonetheless, Bruce left millions stunned as he announced earlier last year he was leaving his radio slot after more than 30 years.
Ken Bruce's exit from the BBC sparked a huge response
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The broadcaster was attracting around 8.3million listeners before his departure and his exit announcement sparked a lot of reaction by co-stars and fans.
In a social media post last year, Bruce claimed he had been asked by the BBC to leave before the end of his contract. He wrote at the time: “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!”
Since then, he’s been candid in his discussions about his former employer, admitting he had been “disappointed” in the BBC.
Talking about his exit being sped up, he told Radio Times last year: “I’m a little bit disappointed by that, I have to say.”
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Ken Bruce now works at Greatest Hits Radio
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He continued: “Because I thought that, after 45 years, I could be trusted to do the right thing for the next few weeks.
"But obviously it’s up to them. It’s their choice," before adding: "There were times when I felt I wasn’t really noticed by either the BBC itself or some listeners."
The BBC declined to comment on the story when approached by GB News.