TV Cream

Radio 2: The Hosts

BRUCE, Ken

kenbruceFOOTBALL TRANSFER-esque signing from BBC Radio Scotland, enticed Londonwards in the mid-seventies with the promise of a headlining slot; didn’t go quite according to plan, due to schedule reshuffling and Woganic tussling over the Eurovision ‘gig’, but still won over legions of daytime listeners (not to mention stoking the boiler for those Radio 2 Summer ‘Railshows’, bringing consumer advice and Jim Reeves records to the elderly and infirm) and after years on the ‘bench’ got his big break when Wogan temporarily ditched Radio 2 in favour of evening TV chat shenanigans. Celtic twang proved an unpopular substitute for Irish blarney, so mid-mornings beckoned, where he remains to this day, with annoyingly ‘popular’ Gambaccini-tastic quiz Popmaster in tow.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Glenn A

    September 17, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    Amazing how the Bruce made the transition from playing showtunes and other Frances Line approved fare to the modern day Radio 2 with its trendier image and playlist that 20 years ago would have resulted in a P45 for him. A bit like Annie Nightingale on Radio 1, he has seen so many changes of presenters and musical policies without complaining, so is considered part of the furniture now.

  2. Glenn A

    June 12, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    Now Radio 2’s longest serving presenter, whose career dates back to the early eighties, and who is one of its most popular and most liked. He’s the perfect antidote to Chris Evans, a comforting presenter who doesn’t take himself seriously.

  3. Richardpd

    January 18, 2023 at 10:46 pm

    Another broadcasting era passing with Ken announcing his departure from Radio 2.

  4. Glenn Aylett

    March 16, 2023 at 9:58 am

    Listening to Greatest Hits Radio, the arrival of Ken Bruce and Popmaster seems to be mentioned as if it is a second coming, which it probably is as large numbers of Bruce fans like me will be making the change next month.
    Ken Bruce was Radio 2’s longest serving presenter, joining in 1983 with some low key weekend shows before moving into daytime in 1985. He spanned the era of Radio One and a Half, where Phil Collins records were played alongside Mantovani, through the Light Programme style Frances Line era, and the modern Radio 2, where Ken would play Dua Lipa alongside The Beatles. Whatever music he played was balanced out by his warm, friendly tones, rapport with the audience and the legend that is Popmaster. Just a thought, I wonder if the prizes on Greatest Hits Radio will be rather better than a t shirt.

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