Post by bluetornados on Mar 3, 2023 16:41:18 GMT
Ken Bruce signs off final Radio 2 show as BBC career comes to an end..
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/820/cpsprodpb/8BD1/production/_128839753_hi082785571.jpg
DJ Ken Bruce paid tribute to his listeners as he signed off from BBC Radio 2 after more than three decades of hosting the mid-morning show.
The Scottish presenter, 72, is leaving the network to join commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.
Bruce closed Friday's programme by playing Golden Slumbers by The Beatles.
Quoting the song, he told listeners: "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make - and I have loved being here with you."
He added: "Thank you so much, and may we meet again somewhere."
Bruce hosted Radio 2's weekday mid-morning programme for more than three decades, and had been on BBC radio in some form for 46 years.
He said: "Thank you to everybody who has contributed in any small way to this programme, particularly the listeners.
"I really couldn't do it without the listeners, who contribute and complete the dialogue. We talk to each other on a daily basis, and I hope sometime in the future we may be able to continue doing that."
After receiving well wishes throughout the programme, Bruce joked: "Thanks to all who sent any kind of messages of congratulations - or good riddance."
He will be replaced by Vernon Kay in May, with Gary Davies presenting the 09:30-12:00 programme in the interim.
In his final message, Bruce also thanked the BBC, commenting: "I've been here for a long time, and apart from the occasional vagary, it is still the finest broadcasting organisation in the world."
His workmates paid tribute to the long-serving presenter, with Jeremy Vine describing him as "the most intelligent, generous and talented colleague" and "the presenter we all want to be like".
Travel reporter Richie Anderson said he was the "kindest, warmest, friendliest person," telling him: "Working with you has been a joy."
Friday's programme also included the last Radio 2 edition of his hugely popular quiz Popmaster, which Bruce is taking with him to his new station.
The Glaswegian presenter left his Radio 2 show earlier than anticipated, after the BBC asked him not to complete his contract, a decision he said he was disappointed by.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's entirely within the BBC's right to ask me to step away a little early. But for the sake of 17 days, which was all that was remaining [on my contract], it seems a shame."
Bruce was originally due to complete his Radio 2 contract on 24 March, but tweeted last week that the BBC had asked him to host the last edition of his show on Friday instead.
Bruce arrives at Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio at a time when the commercial station is positioning itself as an alternative to Radio 2, for older listeners who feel the BBC station no longer caters to them.
Greatest Hits Radio is also home to Mark Goodier and Jackie Brambles, while Mayo hosts its drivetime programme.
Kay, who has previously fronted Channel 4's youth strand T4 and ITV's All Star Family Fortunes, as well as programmes on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, said taking over Bruce's Radio 2 show was "a dream come true".
"And what an honour to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce," he added in a statement. "I'm absolutely over the moon to be handed the microphone."
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/820/cpsprodpb/8BD1/production/_128839753_hi082785571.jpg
DJ Ken Bruce paid tribute to his listeners as he signed off from BBC Radio 2 after more than three decades of hosting the mid-morning show.
The Scottish presenter, 72, is leaving the network to join commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.
Bruce closed Friday's programme by playing Golden Slumbers by The Beatles.
Quoting the song, he told listeners: "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make - and I have loved being here with you."
He added: "Thank you so much, and may we meet again somewhere."
Bruce hosted Radio 2's weekday mid-morning programme for more than three decades, and had been on BBC radio in some form for 46 years.
He said: "Thank you to everybody who has contributed in any small way to this programme, particularly the listeners.
"I really couldn't do it without the listeners, who contribute and complete the dialogue. We talk to each other on a daily basis, and I hope sometime in the future we may be able to continue doing that."
After receiving well wishes throughout the programme, Bruce joked: "Thanks to all who sent any kind of messages of congratulations - or good riddance."
He will be replaced by Vernon Kay in May, with Gary Davies presenting the 09:30-12:00 programme in the interim.
In his final message, Bruce also thanked the BBC, commenting: "I've been here for a long time, and apart from the occasional vagary, it is still the finest broadcasting organisation in the world."
His workmates paid tribute to the long-serving presenter, with Jeremy Vine describing him as "the most intelligent, generous and talented colleague" and "the presenter we all want to be like".
Travel reporter Richie Anderson said he was the "kindest, warmest, friendliest person," telling him: "Working with you has been a joy."
Friday's programme also included the last Radio 2 edition of his hugely popular quiz Popmaster, which Bruce is taking with him to his new station.
The Glaswegian presenter left his Radio 2 show earlier than anticipated, after the BBC asked him not to complete his contract, a decision he said he was disappointed by.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's entirely within the BBC's right to ask me to step away a little early. But for the sake of 17 days, which was all that was remaining [on my contract], it seems a shame."
Bruce was originally due to complete his Radio 2 contract on 24 March, but tweeted last week that the BBC had asked him to host the last edition of his show on Friday instead.
Bruce arrives at Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio at a time when the commercial station is positioning itself as an alternative to Radio 2, for older listeners who feel the BBC station no longer caters to them.
Greatest Hits Radio is also home to Mark Goodier and Jackie Brambles, while Mayo hosts its drivetime programme.
Kay, who has previously fronted Channel 4's youth strand T4 and ITV's All Star Family Fortunes, as well as programmes on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, said taking over Bruce's Radio 2 show was "a dream come true".
"And what an honour to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce," he added in a statement. "I'm absolutely over the moon to be handed the microphone."
