Ken Bruce to leave BBC Radio 2 show after 31 years and join Greatest Hits

BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce has announced on air that he is leaving the station after 31 years hosting its weekday mid-morning show.

His slot is the most listened-to show on UK radio, and he will now join rival station Greatest Hits Radio.

"I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2," he said, adding he'd had "a tremendously happy time" but it was "time for a change".

His departure comes after Steve Wright left after 23 years as afternoon host.

Other popular presenters who have also left the station in the past year include Paul O'Grady and Vanessa Feltz.

Bruce told listeners: "I'll reach the end of my current contract in March, and so at that point I will be moving on from Radio 2.

"I have been here for quite a long time now, and it possibly is time to move over and let somebody else have a go."

His programme, well known for its daily Popmaster quiz, is the most popular programme on British radio with more than 8.5 million weekly listeners, according to data from industry body Rajar.

One of the station's longest-serving hosts, he joined the BBC in 1977 and took his first regular Radio 2 slot in 1984.

He moved to mid-mornings in 1986 before periods on late nights and early mornings, and moved back to what would become his permanent slot in 1992.

The 71-year-old said: "I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up and I would like to continue my career in a slightly different way in the next few years."

In a subsequent statement issued by Greatest Hits Radio, Bruce said Popmaster would feature in his new programme, which will begin on 3 April.

The station's line-up already includes his former colleague Simon Mayo, who left Radio 2 in 2018.

Ben Cooper, chief content and music officer at parent company Bauer Audio UK, said Bruce was "a broadcasting legend, with the biggest radio show in the UK".

"So as well as today being an exciting announcement for Greatest Hits Radio and its growing audience, it is a hugely significant moment for the industry," he said.

Lorna Clarke, director of BBC Music, described Bruce as "an extraordinary broadcaster with an exceptional career over many decades".

She added: "He has been part of every significant occasion marked by BBC Radio 2 and we, his faithful audience and the Radio 2 all-star line-up will miss his warm humour and wit. Congratulations on a brilliant career."