Ken Bruce bid an emotional farewell to listeners as he hosted his final Radio 2 show after 31 years.
The host, 72, who has been a firm fixture for the broadcaster, was asked to 'step away a little early' after it was announced he would leave later this month.
Starting his final show today, he told listeners and Zoe Ball "I'm going to miss you", before going on to add: "Don't look for any hidden messages or secret agendas. Just good music all the way through. Enjoy!"
Although the Beeb was within its rights to ask the DJ to leave early, Ken told Radio 4's Today programme it 'seems a shame' that 'for the sake of 17 days, he was offered an early exit.
The Scots-born radio host, told Today's Gary Richardson that the 'gardening leave' offer, had left him taking one week instead of three but after 46 years and 'little time off' he 'wanted to do them'.
In another Tweet, last week he shared: "I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!"
And many of his listeners were giving him their backing with scores of support beneath his tweet.
One person posted: "I’m gonna miss your voice. Nobody quite does popmaster like you."
Another added: "Congratulations on all you have achieved, Ken. A shame that whoever made this decision seems to have made - fairly obviously - a bad choice."
But Bruce will not be hanging up his headphones as he's been snapped up by commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.
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And the apparent earlier departure date was to prevent Bruce’s self-promotion ahead of him joining the station from 3 April, according to sources who spoke to The Times .
Meanwhile Dan Cocker, who works for the BBC and commercial stations, tweeted: “Greatest Hits are promoting their new asset as much as possible. Ken’s name, image and voice are everywhere. Radio 2 recognise Ken is now a Greatest Hits brand and every extra moment he’s in a BBC studio is free advertising for his new gig.”
His Radio 2 slot will be picked up by 48-year-old Vernon Kay, who is known for fronting TV and radio shows including Family Fortunes, as well as programmes on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X.
