Ken Bruce joined by celeb pals at pub to mark Greatest Hits anniversary after incredible ratings

Ken Bruce marked the first anniversary of his Greatest Hits radio show arrival by going for a well deserved pint with his pals.

They raised a glass or two to a fantastic first 12 months with the station announcing they've seen a growth of more than 75% year-on-year. Greatest Hits Radio now has 6.5 million weekly listeners for all of its shows, compared to 3.7 million the year before and Ken has played a huge part.

His colleagues and friends threw him a little bash with Vanessa Feltz and Chaser Shaun Wallace joining the fun and radio presenter Andy Crane even wearing a telling 'Choose Ken' t-shirt. It appears many have followed instructions after he helped drive up listener numbers to record levels.

He alone now has a weekly audience of well over 3.5 million, and he seems to have taken plenty of people with him from the BBC. The 73-year-old presenter enjoyed a long career at the corporation, hosting a weekday mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2 from 1986 until 2023. He left the station in 2023 only to be replaced by Vernon Kay, 49, who now presents on the radio station - but it has lost a reported 1.3 million listeners.

Ken, who spent decades at BBC with his show airing from 9.30am to midday for more than 30 years, flashed a smile as he popped to the boozer to toast a great year and even Basil Brush turned up. After holding his tongue for so long, earlier this month Ken claimed that his own show was the “biggest” on the station - but claims he was undermined by the BBC. He has hinted that he thinks the BBC failed to support or promote his show - and he says he is confused by this.

He has also opened up about the recent death of fellow BBC Radio 2 host Steve Wright - who passed away at the age of 69. Speaking to the Telegraph, Ken said: “I didn’t want any hoo-ha, so when my show became the biggest show on radio, I didn’t want to say anything about it but I kind of thought the BBC should. I wasn’t expecting to be carried on a litter with people strewing palms in front of me, but I thought, surely that’s worth a mention? As far as I’m aware, it wasn’t mentioned by the BBC at all. Ever.”

Discussing his new gig on Greatest Hits Radio, he said: “Every so often you need a bit of a change in life and, so far, so good. I’ve really felt at home since pretty much day one.” Reflecting on his friendship with Steve - who was abruptly axed by the BBC for his own radio show - he said: “Above all, Steve was a realist. Nobody likes to be taken off a show… but it’s something we all have as a possibility at the back of our minds. Nothing is forever.”

Ken and Steve had planned to meet for a catch-up soon before the shock death. Paying tribute to Steve, Ken wrote on X: "Totally shocked to hear the news about the great Steve Wright. We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE. An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio."

Speaking to BBC Breakfast ahead of the new show, he said: "It’s a fresh start, it is something a little bit different in a new place, that is always good for somebody to try something a little bit new so there I am ready to go.” He added: “There is a certain aspect of oddness about it, yes, I look around the studio I am in and it’s not quite the same as it was.”

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