Ken Bruce will leave his role at BBC Radio 2 a month early because the corporation was reportedly “frustrated” that his shows were “free advertising” for its upcoming station.
The Scottish broadcaster, 72, will host his last Radio 2 show from 9:30am to 12:00pm on Friday after 31 years before joining Greatest Hits Radio.
Bruce revealed in a tweet last week that he intended to serve out the remainder of his contract until the end of March, but said the BBC wanted him out sooner.
Coming as a BBC source said Sun: ‘The BBC believes that every second it’s on the air is just free publicity for its new show on Greatest Hits Radio.
‘They were frustrated that the rival station launched a marketing campaign for their show. Leaves a sour taste.
The 72-year-old Scottish broadcaster will present his latest Radio 2 show from 9:30am to 12:00pm on Friday.
Vernon Kaye on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Monday after it was announced that he would replace Bruce
The decision to replace Bruce has sparked backlash from loyal listeners, who criticized the BBC for its treatment of the veteran presenter.
Last week Bruce tweeted: ‘I’m hosting my latest show on Radio 2 next Friday.
“I had the intention of fulfilling my contract until the end of March, but the BBC have decided that they want me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy next week!’
Speaking to the Mail, Bruce said he was “shocked and disappointed” by the decision.
He said: ‘They called me at 12:30 and told me my last show would be a week today and they didn’t give me any real reason why I understood.
I’m a bit surprised and disappointed.
Friends say he had promised not to say anything that would embarrass the BBC in the remaining weeks of his contract, which further shocked him at the decision to end his show earlier than expected.
An industry source said the BBC’s move made the broadcaster appear “very rude” about Bruce’s “decades of service”.
Ken Bruce (pictured with his good friend Rod Stewart) is leaving the BBC after 45 years, leaving Radio 2 for Greatest Hits Radio.
They said: ‘Show zero respect for Ken and what he’s done for Radio 2.’
Vernon Kay was announced this week as his replacement and broke down in tears while discussing his new role.
Fans greeted the news of her replacement with mixed reviews, calling the BBC bosses’ decision “classless”, but appearing on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show this morning, Kay paid tribute to her predecessor.
He said: ‘My dad is a trucker and I said this when I joined Radio 2 and started filling in for Steve Wright, so we’ve always had Radio 2 in the background.
“It’s part of us, it’s in our DNA: Ken Bruce is mid-morning. You don’t think of any other DJ when you think of that slot.
Whichever channel you choose to listen to, whichever channel is on mid-morning, it’s Ken Bruce’s slot. He has made it his own and is an absolute broadcasting legend.
Radio 2 fans have accused the BBC of age discrimination as a number of older DJs step back, including Paul O’Grady, Steve Wright, Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo.
‘To be asked to put on those big shoes… that was a big deep breath, I’ll be honest with you.
“Obviously I’m over the moon and so are my parents and Tess and the kids, but it’s the Ken Bruce show and the man has raised the bar so high that I’m so excited to be able to take the reins.” I’m absolutely over the moon, I really am.’
Bruce is the last veteran to leave the station, but insists it’s his call. Last summer, Paul O’Grady left Radio 2 after Steve Wright, 68, Graham Norton, 59, and Simon Mayo, 64, left and were replaced by a younger line-up. Vanessa Feltz, 60, and Craig Charles, 58, also moved in.