Ken Bruce’s contract with BBC Radio 2 has been axed early in efforts to scupper promotion for his new present at Best Hits Radio, in response to insiders.
In January, Bruce introduced he would go away the company after 45 years to host a present on industrial rival, Best Hits Radio.
The veteran presenter, 72, has been on the BBC station since 1984, however instructed listeners in January: “I’ve executed every thing it’s attainable to do at Radio 2.”
In February, he then instructed his Twitter followers that, whereas he had meant to fulfil his contract to the tip of March, the company had determined “it desires me to depart earlier” and his final present might be Friday 3 March.
The choice has been taken to stifle Bruce’s self-promotion forward of him becoming a member of the Bauer-owned station from 3 April, in response to sources who spoke to The Instances.
“Ken has been handled appallingly after his a few years of service,” one insider stated. “They don’t need him on the market selling himself when he’s about to maneuver on to a different station. They’re doing their greatest to scupper his possibilities on Best Hits.”
A second supply claimed that BBC was making an attempt to “claw again management”, including: “They missed the boat with renegotiating his contract and determined they wanted to get again within the driving seat quite than have Ken main the narrative.”
Dan Cocker, a radio producer who works for the BBC and industrial stations, tweeted: “Best Hits are selling their new asset as a lot as attainable. Ken’s title, picture and voice are in every single place. Radio 2 recognise Ken is now a Best Hits model and each additional second he’s in a BBC studio is free promoting for his new gig.”
(BBC)
He added: “It’s an unworkable place for Radio 2. They haven’t any alternative however to let him go sooner quite than later. They’ve additionally been beneficiant. Any industrial community would have let him go instantly after asserting his meant departure. Giving him every week to say goodbye is beneficiant.”
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Bruce might be quickly changed by Gary Davies on BBC Radio 2 till Vernon Kay steps into the 9.30am slot in Might.
Matt Deegan, artistic director of Folder Media, stated: “If Ken completed at Radio 2 on Friday after which began at Best Hits on Monday, it makes it very simple for listeners to change throughout. With Radio 2 inserting an extra three weeks, it does give the possibility for some listeners to calm a short time Gary Davies takes over.”
A Radio 2 spokesperson instructed The Impartial: “Ken determined to depart Radio 2 and it’s all the time been identified he’s leaving in March. Returning to Wogan Home for every week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room classes at Maida Vale offered a pure break.”
The BBC has been contacted for additional remark.
