More Changes at BBC Radio 2?

DMC

If it is correct, Ken Bruce is getting the mid-morning elbow, in favour of Simon Mayo.

I like Mayo on 5 Live, especially for the movie reviews with Mark Kermode, but if Ken Bruce leaves Radio 2, one less preset in the car then.

Ken Bruce 'to be replaced by Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 2'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3411833/Ken-Bruce-to-be-replaced-by-Simon-Mayo-on-BBC-Radio-2.html

Ken Bruce is set to lose his job as the host of Radio 2's mid-morning show, angering listeners already infuriated by the station's efforts to attract younger listeners.

By Matthew Moore
Last Updated: 12:07AM GMT 10 Nov 2008

The veteran disc jockey, who has worked at the BBC for 26 years, is to be replaced by Radio 5 Live presenter Simon Mayo, his occasional stand-in.

Bruce's 9.30am show is one of the most popular on British radio, regularly attracting up to seven million listeners, many of whom have already expressed their anger at the decision.

Craig Wilson, who helped found the Ken Bruce Appreciation Group on social networking website on Facebook, said: "I think it's an absolute travesty that Radio 2 are getting rid of one of their truly talented presenters. This is not what the station needs at the moment - it should be hanging on to its jewels in its crown. "

Other fans registered their protest on internet message boards. One wrote: "I sincerely hope they do not replace Ken with Simon Mayo. He is not a patch on Ken when he has sat in for him."

Bruce's departure - which follows the exits of Radio 2 favourites Jimmy Young and Johnnie Walker from their weekday slots - is reported to have been one of the final decisions taken by Lesley Douglas, the Radio 2 controller who was forced to resign last month over the prank phone calls made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.

It was Mrs Douglas who spearheaded the station's drive to appeal to a younger audience, including hiring Brand, a decision known to have alienated long-serving Radio 2 broadcasters.

Bruce, 57, is expected leave the station after Radio 5 Live completes its long-awaited moved to Manchester around 2011.

Mayo, 50, who currently hosts the news and sport station's afternoon show, was known to have been reluctant to move his young family north and has been offered Bruce's slot to help keep him at the BBC.

"Simon was concerned that the plan would be scrapped following Lesley Douglas's resignation after the Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand scandal," a Radio 2 insider told a Sunday newspaper.

"But Simon made some calls last week and has been assured that it will all go ahead and he will still be taking over the Ken Bruce show."

Bruce, who grew up in Glasgow, joined the BBC Scotland after failing to make the grade as an accountant. He moved to Radio 2 to Saturday Late Show in 1984, and briefly replaced Sir Terry Wogan as host of the breakfast show before taking up the mid-morning slot. He is currently writing his autobiography, and has expressed a desire end his career north of the border.

His biography on the Radio 2 website ends: "Ken is content to remain at Radio 2 until the call comes to restore him to his rightful place on the Throne of Scotland."

A BBC spokeswoman said Bruce had recently signed a new contract at the station, but did not disclose its length. Bruce and Mayo could not be contacted for comment.

mike65

Can't really comment as I never listen to R2, but Mayo is exellent on five, far better listening than anything RTE/Newstalk could ever come up with.

What is the slots' raison d'etre?

Mike

DMC

Mid morning music, a little quiz, famous musicians and acts choose their favourtite music, and some self-depreciating humour.

It works for me.

Yesterday's playlist.

bbability

Well I am absoultly shocked by the decision. Ken Bruce's show is another great foundation that made BBC R2 what it is today. Its the lunchtime show thats the weak link in the chain. Who's gonna replace Steve Wright because its his head that's next...