Legendary broadcaster Ken Bruce has broken his silence about the significant drop in listening figures for his former BBC Radio 2 morning show since his departure earlier this year.
The Ratings Reality Check
The veteran radio host, who presented the weekday morning slot from 9.30am to midday for over three decades, left the BBC in March 2023 to join commercial station Greatest Hits Radio. His replacement on Radio 2 was Vernon Kay, but the transition hasn't been smooth in terms of audience numbers.
Official figures revealed that Radio 2's weekday morning audience dropped from a weekly average of 8.1 million to 6.6 million by October 2025 - a substantial decline that hasn't gone unnoticed by the programme's former presenter.
Bruce's Candid Response
In an interview with Saga magazine published on Monday 24th November, the 74-year-old presenter addressed the elephant in the room directly. "Am I aware that audience figures for the Radio 2 show have fallen since I left? Yes," Bruce stated frankly.
He continued: "Did some follow me over to Greatest Hits Radio? Yes. You won't hear me gloating or badmouthing the BBC, though." Bruce emphasised that his focus remains on his current role, noting that his new show's audience has reportedly doubled since he joined Bauer Radio's station.
Radio Philosophy and Future Directions
When questioned about whether he listens to Vernon Kay's show on his old Radio 2 slot, Bruce was equally straightforward. "I always say, 'No.' It's not because I'm boycotting the BBC - I still listen to Radio 3 and archive shows on 4 Extra - it's because I'm part of a new family now, Bauer Radio."
Bruce's departure from the BBC came after the corporation failed to offer him a new contract, prompting the presenter to seek fresh challenges. His move reflects broader concerns he's expressed about Radio 2's direction.
In a previous appearance on the Beyond the Title podcast, Bruce warned against attempts to make Radio 2 "cool." "There should always be a clear division between Radio 1 and Radio 2," he argued, describing the station's appeal as "a state of mind - not just about the music played."
He elaborated: "When you're over 35, you're more comfortable with yourself and don't mind being uncool. Radio 2 thinking it's cool is the worst thing we can do."
BBC's Response and Current Standing
Despite the ratings dip for the morning show, the BBC maintains that Radio 2 remains the UK's most popular radio station overall. A spokesperson highlighted that the station continues to target listeners aged 35 and above, a demographic focus that "has remained unchanged for decades."
Recent figures show some recovery, with Radio 2's weekly audience reaching 12.79 million between July and September this year, up slightly from 12.62 million in the previous quarter.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, congratulated both Scott Mills, whose breakfast show remains "the number one breakfast show in the country with 6.2 million listeners," and Vernon Kay, whose mid-morning programme "continues to be the most-listened to programme on UK radio, with a weekly audience of 6.6 million."
The station has undergone several scheduling changes recently, including Scott Mills replacing Zoe Ball on breakfast shows and Trevor Nelson launching a new afternoon slot.
As the radio landscape continues to evolve, Bruce's move and the subsequent ratings shift highlight the ongoing competition for listeners' loyalty in an increasingly fragmented media environment.
