Veteran Scottish broadcaster Ken Bruce has opened up about his decision to avoid listening to Vernon Kay's BBC Radio 2 show, two years after the Bolton presenter took over his coveted mid-morning slot.
The Listening Choice Explained
In a candid new interview with Saga magazine, the 74-year-old radio legend revealed that his choice stems from loyalty to his new broadcasting home rather than any form of boycott against the BBC.
"I'm always asked if I listen to Vernon Kay, who took over the old show on Radio 2 and I always say, 'No'," Bruce explained. "It's not because I'm boycotting the BBC - I still listen to Radio 3 and archive shows on 4 Extra - but because I'm part of a new family now, Bauer Radio."
The broadcaster, who left the BBC after an impressive 46-year tenure in 2023, emphasised his commitment to his current role at Greatest Hits Radio, stating: "I want to know what our guys are up to, so I listen to our shows."
Audience Figures Tell Their Own Story
The revelation comes as new listening statistics reveal a significant shift in audience numbers since Bruce's departure from Radio 2. When Vernon Kay initially stepped into Bruce's shoes, the mid-morning programme enjoyed listening figures of 8.1 million listeners.
However, the latest data shows that in the two years following Bruce's exit, Kay's listener base has declined to approximately 6.6 million - a notable drop that hasn't gone unnoticed by the veteran presenter.
"Am I aware audience figures for the Radio 2 show have fallen since I left? Yes," Bruce acknowledged. "Did some follow me over to Greatest Hits Radio? Yes."
Success at Greatest Hits Radio
While Radio 2 experienced its largest quarterly fall since audience research body Rajar resumed data collection in September 2021, Bruce's new home at Greatest Hits Radio saw remarkable growth.
The station witnessed a substantial 13% increase in its average weekly audience, jumping from 5.1 million listeners in January-March 2023 to 5.8 million in April-June of the same year. This represented an impressive 59% year-on-year increase.
Bruce expressed satisfaction with his career move, commenting: "You won't hear me gloating or badmouthing the BBC, though. My new show's doing well - apparently, the audience has doubled since I joined - and that's all that matters."
The broadcaster reflected on his decision to leave Radio 2 back in 2023, stating at the time: "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 in March."
Despite the competitive landscape and shifting audience loyalties, Bruce maintains a professional and respectful attitude toward his former employer, focusing instead on the success of his current venture with Greatest Hits Radio.
