Ken Bruce fans devastated as he quits BBC Radio 2: 'This is too much'

Ken Bruce fans have been sharing their devastation at the news that he is leaving BBC Radio 2, with some calling it the "final nail in the coffin" for the station.

The 71-year-old announced during his show on Tuesday morning that he would be leaving in March after 31 years of hosting the mid-morning show, and later confirmed he would start a new job at Greatest Hits Radio in April.

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Famous fans and devoted listeners called the departure "too much" and claimed there was "nobody left worth listening to now".

His station mate Rylan Clark tweeted a photo of them together and wrote: "Ken Bruce. A beautiful man who’s always been so lovely to me at @BBCRadio2. Going to be so missed on air, but personally I’ll miss having a beer in a foreign country discussing anything and everything whilst at Eurovision. Thanks for always being so lovely."

Another Radio 2 star Richie Anderson tweeted: "King Ken of the airwaves! King Ken of Eurovision. The Popmaster himself. But most importantly; the loveliest and kindest man in radio."

Trevor Nelson added: "Wow Ken Bruce is leaving radio 2.He has just announced on his show.Totally his own decision.What a legend and what a run. Massive respect."

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Lorraine Kelly wrote: "This is too much. I draw the line - Ken Bruce is the BEST presenter on radio anywhere in the world. He’s kind, funny, wise and warm and I am really sad about this. End of an era. You will be sorely missed young man."

Dan Walker, who left BBC Breakfast last year for a Channel Five job, tweeted: "Ken Bruce leaving Radio 2!!! Going on his show to do tracks of my years was a massive highlight. Thanks for being brilliant for so long @RealKenBruce The true Popmaster."

Bruce also presents Radio 2's Eurovision coverage and his mid-morning show is famous for PopMaster, a quiz which has run for 25 years.

One upset fan tweeted: "Ken Bruce leaving Radio 2. Nobody left worth listening to now."

Another listener wrote: "Do you hear that agonised howling? It's the sound of audience reaction to Ken Bruce announcing he's leaving his R2 show. Argh."

Someone else added: "The sky is falling! Ken Bruce has just announced he's leaving @BBCRadio2"

Many thought it was disastrous news for the station, as one person tweeted: "Thats Radio 2 dead then. Ken Bruce only decent one they had left."

Someone else agreed: "Radio 2 is officially finished! Ken Bruce will turn the lights off when he leaves."

Another fan added: "Final nail in the coffin for radio 2, ken Bruce has just announced he’s leaving the station at the end of march."

Bidding him farewell, one of his fans tweeted: "Devastating news that #KenBruce is leaving his #BBCRadio2 show!! He got me - and so many others - through lockdown. Can't imagine I'll listen to R2 at all, now."