Radio legend Ken Bruce quipped he was with “the dregs of broadcasting”, as friends from his former BBC station welcomed him to his new home.
Radio 2 alumni including DJs Simon Mayo and Richard Allinson threw a launch party for the star, along with Paul Gambaccini, who still hosts a weekly broadcast on the station.
A mariachi band played as gymnasts backflipped at the “welcome home” party, thrown at the London studios of Greatest Hits radio where Ken now presents, having left the BBC after 40 years.
Other guests included the Broom Cupboard’s Andy Crane and TV presenter Jenny Powell, who wore a gold hat and blew a party horn while Kate Thornton geed up the crowd, cheering: “He’s the most listened to man in radio.”
Simon praised the “genius” broadcaster.
Ken, 72, told the group: “It’s lovely to be here among friends I’ve known all my life, and new friends I’ve just made.”
He also jokingly called the assembled bunch “the dregs of broadcasting”, to cheers.
He kicked off his first show telling listeners: “Last time we spoke we had the end from Abbey Road, now, together, we’re going back to the beginning for a brand new start.”
He launched by playing Come Together, the first song on The Beatles’ Abbey Road album.
He brought his popular PopMaster game with him, and his trademark humour, joking to a fan who told him it was good to have him back: “It’s good to be anywhere at my age.”
He signed off his debut show with The Winner Takes It All by ABBA, after his departure from the Beeb prompted accusations of ageism, with Vernon Kay, 48, confirmed to take over the mid morning broadcast next month.
Ken will go head to head with his 10am-1pm slot on Greatest Hits.
Simon Mayo and Richard Allinson both presented on Radio 2 for 17 years.
