Rob Brydon has joked he needs “privacy at this difficult time”, after his BBC co-star Ken Bruce quit.
The Would I Lie to You host took to Twitter to mourn the loss of the radio presenter veteran, after he announced earlier this week that he would leave the station after 31 years.
The 57-year-old wrote: “Devastated to hear @RealKenBruce has decided to leave @BBCRadio2. I ask that people please respect my privacy at this difficult time.”
The Gavin and Stacey star’s followers shared his heartbreak as many listeners also said they’d follow Ken away from the BBC to hear his new show on Greatest Hits.
“Can’t believe it. Mornings without Ken – how will I get any work done and what about PopMaster and Tracks of Their Years?!” one replied.
As another fan wrote: “Don’t, I’m in bits!” another begged. “Poor old Radio 2 is gonna lose a load of listeners – I shall be going with Ken without a doubt.”
A third fan said: “Joking aside, it’s a real shock. We will miss Ken!” as someone else added: “That’s my subscription to Radio 2 over! Just need Steve Wright over on Greatest Hits Radio for a dream team.”
However, the Greatest Hits Radio Twitter account was on hand to reassure fans that Ken will be back on the air soon along with his legendary segment, PopMaster.
They replied to the actor: “Fear not @RobBrydon Ken’s joining us PopMaster and all from April 3rd!”
It comes after Ken, 71, announced that he had resigned from the BBC as he moved onto a new venture.
He dropped the bombshell on his listeners and said: “I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2.
“I’ll reach the end of my current contract in March, and so at that point I will be moving on from Radio 2. Nothing stays the same forever... I have been here for quite a long time now, and it possibly is time to move over and let somebody else have a go."
Ken’s decision comes after several high-profile presenters have left the show over accusations of ageism at the BBC such as Paul O’Grady, Vanessa Feltz, Simon Mayo and Graham Norton.