Rob Brydon was left begging fans to “respect his privacy” during a “difficult” time, as one of his BBC co-stars quit.
Would I Lie to You host Rob took to Twitter this week to lament the loss of Ken Bruce to BBC Radio 2 after the news broke that he would leave his programme after an incredible 31 years.
The Gavin and Stacey star penned: “Devastated to hear @RealKenBruce has decided to leave @BBCRadio2.
READ MORE: BBC Radio 2 icon announces exit after 45-year career as he joins rival station
“I ask that people please respect my privacy at this difficult time,” he joked.
(Image: BBC/Zeppotron/Brian Ritchie)
But there was good news in store for Rob, as the official Greatest Hits Radio account reassured him: “Fear not @RobBrydon Ken’s joining us PopMaster and all from April 3rd!”
Other fans, however, totally understood Rob’s pain, as one said: “Can’t believe it. Mornings without Ken – how will I get any work done and what about PopMaster and Tracks of Their Years?!”
“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!” while someone else fumed: “That’s my subscription to Radio 2 over! Just need Steve Wright over on Greatest Hits Radio for a dream team.”
(Image: Mike Lawn/REX/Shutterstock)
It comes after Ken announced his resignation from the programme earlier this week.
He explained to listeners: “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.”
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for The)
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The 71-year-old has reignited fresh ageism rows when it comes to the BBC, with reports swarming that his decision stemmed from the “seemingly ever-younger DJs” brought in by bosses over the years.
Vanessa Feltz took to This Morning to comment on Ken’s decision to quit, accusing the network of “ageism”.
She told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: “Well I haven’t spoken to him personally, but I imagine it’s a feeling of some sense of ageism at the BBC. That once you get over a certain age your days are numbered, you’re not valued in a certain way.”
When contacted for comment from Daily Star, a BBC spokesperson said: “Ken explained his reasons for leaving Radio 2 in his quote and on air. We respect his decision and wish him the very best of luck in the future as he’s been a much loved part of the Radio 2 family.
“Radio 2 is hugely proud of having a range of presenters from their 30s to 80 years old on the station, an age range which hasn’t changed in decades, in fact Ken Bruce started presenting on Radio 2 at the age of 32.
“Radio 2 will continue to be a multi-generational radio station that serves a 35+ audience with listeners tuning in each week to our brilliant range of programmes, hosted by some of the UK’s best loved presenters
“We continue to play a wide variety of the best music from the past seven decades, including from the 60s and 70s.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
