Ken Bruce final Radio 2 show – as it happened: DJ says goodbye as fans and fellow stars share emotional tributes

Veteran broadcaster’s final show before he moves to Greatest Hits Radio aired today, after BBC ended his contract early

Broadcaster Ken Bruce announces he's leaving BBC Radio after 40 years

Ken Bruce aired his last ever BBC Radio 2 show today, Friday 3 March, after 31 years of presenting the station’s mid-morning programme.

Bruce, 72, has been with the BBC since 1977 when he started out as a presenter on Radio Scotland.

While introducing his final show on Radio 2 this morning, he told listeners not to look for any “hidden agendas” in his music choices, assuring them: “They’re just good songs. Enjoy!”

The DJ is moving over to commercial station Greatest Hits Radio, where he will begin broadcasting on 3 April.

In February, Bruce claimed that BBC bosses had decided they wanted him to leave early, instead of fulfilling his contract to the end of March.

Reports followed that he was axed early by the BBC in efforts to prevent him from promoting his new Greatest Hits show.

Find out everything that happened on Bruce’s final Radio 2 show below...

Key points

• Ken Bruce axed early by BBC ‘to prevent him promoting his new Greatest Hits show’
• Ken Bruce tells listeners there is no ‘hidden agenda’ in today’s music choices
• Ken Bruce says early BBC exit ‘seems a shame’

[3 March 2023 12:12 · Ellie Harrison]

Ken Bruce’s final words on Radio 2

Introducing his last songs, Ken Bruce told listeners: “I’ve come to my last link, as we say on radio. A lot of people would say, ‘Write down a big speech and deliver it,’ but that’s not the sort of thing I do.

“I do really want to say thank you to anybody who has contributed in any small way to this programme, particularly the listeners. I 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 maybe some time in the future we may be able to continue doing that...

“Thank you, particularly, to the members of the Ken Bruce Preservation Society, who sent in a lovely bottle of a certain Irish cream liquour, which I thought about drinking after song nine of the show today...

“Thanks to all who’ve sent any kind of message of congratulations or good riddance...

“I would like to say thank you, particularly, to Phil McGarvey and Janine Maya-Smith. They are the only two in the production team, what a fabulous team they have been.

“And to the BBC, I’ve been here for a long time and apart from the occasional vagary it is still the finest broadcasting organisation in the world.”

[3 March 2023 13:41 · Isobel Lewis]

Ken Bruce says Vernon Kay ‘doesn’t need my advice’ taking over Radio 2 slot

Talking to journalists outside his last Radio 2 show, Bruce was asked if he had any advice for incoming show host Vernon Kay.

“Vernon doesn’t need my advice,” he replied. “He’s a great guy. I wish him all the very best.”

Kay will take over the mid-morning show in May.

[3 March 2023 13:57 · Isobel Lewis]

Lorraine Kelly calls Ken Bruce a ‘class act'

Lorraine Kelly has also shared her verdict on Ken Bruce’s last ever show...