BBC broadcasting legend Ken Bruce is leaving Radio 2 after 31 years presenting his mid-morning weekday show.

Bruce, 71, said “the time is right” for him to leave, announcing the news on Tuesday’s show. He will join Greatest Hits Radio station in April.

The broadcaster started working at the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter.

In 1984, he landed his first regular slot presenting the Saturday Late Show before taking over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Sir Terry Wogan the following year. He has fronted his mid-morning show since 1992 where its most recent weekly reach totalled 8.56m people.

He has also presented Radio 2’s coverage of Eurovision since 1988.

In a statement, Bruce 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 in March. It’s been a tremendously happy time for me: I’ve made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues.

“However I feel that after 45 years of full-time broadcasting on BBC Radio it’s time for a change. I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up and I would like to continue my career in a slightly different way in the next few years, the details of which will be revealed shortly.

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“I will always be very proud of my association with the BBC and Radio 2 in particular and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make the mid-morning show a success.”

Lorna Clarke, head of production for Radio 2, said: “Ken is an extraordinary broadcaster with an exceptional career over many decades. He has been part of every significant occasion marked by BBC Radio 2 and we, his faithful audience and the Radio 2 all-star line-up will miss his warm humour and wit. Congratulations on a brilliant career.”

Radio 2 will announce the host and details of a new mid-morning show at a later date.

Bruce will present a show from 10am to 1pm on Greatest Hits Radio, joining presenters including Simon Mayo at Drivetime and Jackie Brambles in the early evening.

He said: “What better way to celebrate my 45 years in radio than with a new adventure and a brand-new show on Greatest Hits Radio. I say brand-new but there will still be PopMaster, me and my musings and all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

“I’m looking forward to getting started and to you joining me for my very first show. See you in April!”

Ben Cooper, chief content and music officer at Bauer Audio UK which owns Greatest Hits Radio, said: “Ken Bruce is a broadcasting legend, with the biggest radio show in the UK, so as well as today being an exciting announcement for Greatest Hits Radio and its growing audience, it is a hugely significant moment for the industry.

“What a fantastic start to a great year of increased ambition and innovation for Bauer Media Audio.”

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