Ken Bruce to leave Radio 2 after 45 years at the BBC

FANS' favourite Ken Bruce is leaving his mid-morning weekday slot on Radio 2 after 31 years - to join a rival commercial station.

- Mark Jefferies and Naomi Clarke

The 71-year-old shocked his legions of listeners when he said "the time is right" for him to move to Greatest Hits Radio (GHR). He has worked for the BBC for a total of 45 years.

Ken will take his popular PopMaster quiz with him.

It is another headache for BBC bosses as he follows fellow Radio 2 big name Steve Wright who left his afternoon show in September.

Glasgow-born Ken, who attracts an audience of 8.5 million, announced he would be departing his 9.30am to midday slot in March.

He will move to Bauer-owned GHR in April to present a show from 10am to 1pm. On leaving the BBC, he said: "Nothing stays the same forever and I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2 when I reach the end of my current contract.