Summary

  • Veteran broadcaster Ken Bruce thanks listeners and praises the BBC as he signs off from his long-running Radio 2 show

  • Bruce called the BBC "the finest broadcasting institution in the world" as he leaves for commercial radio

  • Fellow presenter Jeremy Vine told Bruce: “I’ve worked with some great people and you’re the best.”

  • After his show's final track - Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End by The Beatles - Bruce says "I have loved being here with you"

  • But Bruce said earlier it "seems a shame" to be leaving his Radio 2 show earlier than anticipated, saying his BBC contract runs to the end of the month

  • The last-ever Radio 2 PopMaster contestant, Paul from Norwich, scored 27 out of a possible 39 points

Live Reporting

Edited by Rob Corp and Sarah Fowler

  1. 'Bruce got us through lockdown'

    Many fans have got in touch to tell us how listening to Bruce's show on Radio 2 helped them through the pandemic.

    So sorry that Ken is going. He made everyone feel safe and normal during the pandemic and other difficult times. Always calm and reassuring.

    Dave Foley in Worcester

    Thanks for being you Ken! You’ve brought joy to so many and made everyone think it was going to be ok during lockdown.

    Sue Jackson

  2. Bruce: I'm leaving of my own accord

    Steven McIntosh
    Entertainment Reporter

    Ken Brucegett

    We are heading into Bruce's final hour of his last Radio 2 show, but before he went on air he spoke to the BBC's media correspondent David Sillito about the circumstances surrounding his exit from the BBC.

    "I've gone at my own accord, I wanted to go at this time," he confirmed. "And I understand the BBC were in the process of preparing an offer for me to continue. But, you know, I'd made my decision before that."

    Bruce is leaving the BBC to host a new programme on commercial station Greatest Hits Radio, which is also home to Simon Mayo and Mark Goodier.

    Asked about walking away from such a successful show on Radio 2, Bruce replied: "It's become the biggest programme on British radio, and I don't want to preside over any decline. I want to walk away while it's the top thing."

  3. The 'long song' after PopMaster

    Rob Corp
    Live reporter

    It's something of an in-joke that Bruce plays a song with a longer duration after the stresses of PopMaster.

    It has been said in the past he uses the intermission to have a comfort break after the demands of the quiz - but this has never been confirmed by the man himself.

  4. Anna admits she was 'outclassed' by Paul

    PopMaster contestant Anna bows out with a tribute to Ken Bruce calling him a "warm and funny friend to the nation" and wishes him luck at his new station.

    Anna asks for a signed photo and Bruce jokes that there "is one left".

  5. PopMaster round two: Our scores on the doors

    Round two of the final PopMaster on the BBC has just finished, with one member of our team (who isn't even from the UK) outclassing the field.

    Kathryn - 18

    Rob - 12

    Sarah - 12

    Anna - 9

    Adam - 9

    But we're in a different league to listener Paul, who managed to get 27 of the 39 available points...

  6. Second contestant faces the music

    The very last contestant to go on Radio 2's PopMaster is Paul from Norwich. He works for the council and is a keen gig-goer.

    He chooses "something beginning with ex" for his bonus questions.

  7. PopMaster round one: Our scores on the doors

    Righto, we've just played along with PopMaster as well and it looks the team's breadth of musical knowledge is showing from the results...

    Kathryn - 15

    Adam - 9

    Rob - 9

    Sarah - 9

    Anna - 6

    Actual contestant Anna managed to get three points. Let's hope round two goes better for us on the Live team.

  8. Last ever Radio 2 PopMaster contestants take to the air

    Singer-songwriter Anna from Hastings is first up.

    She chooses "It's Only Words" as her bonus questions.

  9. Superfan lands in Brazil in time for PopMaster

    Chris Samsa tells us he scheduled his flight especially to land in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to listen Bruce's last PopMaster.

    He says: "Couldn’t miss this momentous day. You’re on in the car via Bluetooth and I’m introducing my Brazilian driver Roberto, to the magic of uncle Ken.

    "Would never have done this for any other broadcaster, you’re the best and will miss you."

  10. A recap of how to play PopMaster

    OK - heads down, it's almost 10:30, and as every Ken Bruce fan knows, everything stops for PopMaster.

    For the uninitiated here’s a quick recap of how the pop music quiz works.

    Two fans are asked 10 questions about pop from the 1950s until the present day.

    Here’s how the scoring works…

    • A correct answer for a question gets three points
    • There are six points up for grabs for bonus questions
    • Bonus rounds are after the third, sixth and ninth questions
    • A total of 39 points is up for grabs

    The live page team will be playing along, and we’ll post our scores up…but don’t expect too much of us!

    PopMaster is coming up shortly at 10:30 - good luck everyone!

  11. Last love song slot on Radio 2

    Ken Bruce read out a long list of listener dedications ahead of the Love Song slot at 10:15.

    Amongst them - Sam celebrating his 20th birthday tomorrow, a couple in Anglesey celebrating buying matching deck shows ahead of a cruise, and a 25th wedding anniversary celebration for Janet who met her partner 39 years ago.

    Today's song choice is Chris White with Spanish Wine.

  12. PopMaster - Ken Bruce's long-running quiz

    Rob Corp
    Live reporter

    PopMaster slate

    As mentioned previously - at 10:30 it's the cornerstone of Bruce’s morning show, PopMaster, which sees two fans asked 10 questions about pop from the 1950s to the present day.

    We're going to play along on the live page - I'm just hoping to get a score in double figures. Famous last words...

    Bruce is taking the quiz, which has been running since 1998, to his new Greatest Hits radio show as he owns the rights to the format.

    So how does scoring work? A correct answer for each question gets three points, with six points for bonus questions - there are bonus rounds after the third, sixth and ninth questions.

    This means a total of 39 points is up for grabs. Winners on the show are usually awarded bluetooth headphones or a smart speaker.

    Listen in at 10:30 GMT today if you fancy playing along.

    You can also test your music knowledge on PopMaster here on BBC Sounds

    And if you want to send us your score - please do. Get in touch:

  13. Bruce's 'mini PopMaster' on Radio 4

    Listeners were confused to hear Ken Bruce's voice on Radio 4's Today programme earlier today - they were running a segment on his departure from Radio 2 and even did a "mini PopMaster" quiz with him.

    Asked what's made his show so popular over the years, Bruce said: "The more you try, the less it will happen - a good relationship between broadcaster and listener just grows and develops naturally."

    He was played three short clips of songs by the Steve Miller Band, Chicago and singer Christopher Cross - all of which he correctly guessed (winning nine points). Unfortunately he didn't do so well with the two bonus rounds - scoring nil points.

    His chosen Tracks of My Years were Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through The Grapevine and Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke.

  14. Bruce says thanks for the messages and cards

    Bruce thanks his listeners for the lovely "kind" messages and beautiful cards "festooning the studio".

    He also reads out a message from Tony who says he lives on the same street in Glasgow that Bruce grew up on.

    Tony jokes that he will put a blue plaque up on Bruce's house that will read "Ken Bruce lived here - but don't worry he's now left."

  15. 'We'll drop Radio 2 after Bruce' - fans

    You've been sending us your thoughts and tributes as Ken Bruce steps down, but some of you say you will now stop listening to Radio 2.

    Bruce is moving to rival commercial radio station Greatest Hits Radio.

    I won't be listening to Radio 2 during the former Ken Bruce programme slot. I will be following Ken.

    Martin Lougher in Wales

    So pleasurable to listen to Ken Bruce in the mornings, something my husband and I do regularly! But will not listen to BBC Radio 2 anymore as we feel so strongly about this... So disappointed in what the BBC has done over the last couple of years with popular radio shows/presenters.

    Lucas family in Portsmouth

    So sad to see Ken Bruce being forced out of the BBC. When I figure out how to set the dial on my radio I will probably be joining him as no doubt many others will be joining the exodus.

    Kathy Cook in Scotland

  16. Honourary 'awards' for Bruce from listener

    Bruce has been reading our more listeners' messages.

    Durham Dave says the Shotley Bridge Shed Appreciation society has awarded Bruce the honour of being "Golden Shed" for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.

    He quips that a whippet and chihuahua racing club has also given him a "Golden Tail", which Bruce says he will gladly wag.

  17. Back after the news

    Rob Corp
    Live reporter

    Starting the 10 o'clock hour is a good time to remind you that we're covering Ken Bruce's last show on BBC Radio 2 after more than 30 years on mid-mornings.

    And while we bring you some of the highlights of the show, we'll also bring you some of our readers' comments and analysis of how things are changing in the UK radio industry.

    Plus we'll also attempt to play Bruce's hallmark PopMaster quiz live on this page from 10:30! Do send us your scores - while we on the Live Page team try and play along as well.

    Ken Bruce at Wogan HousePA Media

  18. Bruce's Radio 4 appearance confuses listener

    Gareth from Swansea messages Bruce's show after hearing him on on a different BBC radio network - Radio 4's Today programme.

    He says he was driving done the M4 in his gas tanker this morning when he "heard a familiar voice on Radio 4."

    He jokes that he thought Bruce had gone into politics.

  19. No secret messages in last show songs - Bruce

    Ken Bruce began his show by warning listeners not to attach too much meaning to the songs he will play on his final show.

    “The music today is just good stuff,” he says.

    “Don’t listen expecting hidden agendas or secret messages – we just want to play music on a normal programme. Very, very normal.”

    He has read out a message from Tim, one of the listeners that has been sending in five words to Bruce to bid him farewell.

    “My five words are 'can I have your chair?' – because the wheel has just broken off mine at work.”

    “If I can get it out of the door, it’s yours,” responds Bruce.

  20. Tributes pour in as Bruce hosts last Radio 2 show

    As you might expect for someone who's been on the nation's most-popular radio station for three decades, he's built a loyal fan-base - and you've been sending us your thoughts on Bruce's departure.

    You have been the person to make me laugh, smile and be competitive at PopMaster as long as I can remember. You’ll be so missed in my mornings. Good luck for the future.

    Jan

    Ken will be missed by millions. l don’t think Radio 2 will be the same they got shot of Steve Wright in the afternoon show, now Bruce is going. l think a lot of listeners will go to other stations.

    Bob Bevan

    Bruce - you are an inspiration to millions. Radio 2 will not be the same.

    Brian