Ken Bruce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ken Bruce
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Bruce presenting BBC Proms in the Park in 2006
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| Born |
Kenneth Robertson Bruce
2 February 1951 Glasgow, Scotland
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| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Fiona Fraser
(m. 1976; div. 1988)Anne Gilchrist
(m. 1990; div. 1995)Kerith Coldham
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 6 |
| Career | |
| Show | Weekday mid-mornings (1986–1990, 1992–present) |
| Station(s) | BBC Radio 2 (1984–2023, previously a stand in presenter, 1980–83) Greatest Hits Radio (2023–present) |
| Time slot | 9:30 am – 11:00 am (1986–1990) 9:30 am – 11:30 am (1992–1998) 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (1998–2023) 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (2023–present) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Ken Bruce (born February 2, 1951) is a well-known Scottish radio and TV presenter. For many years, he hosted a popular mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2. Since 2023, you can hear him on Greatest Hits Radio.
In 2023, Ken received an award called the MBE. This was for his great work in radio, helping people understand autism, and supporting charities. He also hosts a TV version of his famous quiz, PopMaster, on Channel 4.
Contents
Early Life and First Jobs
Ken Bruce was born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. He went to Hutchesons' Boys' Grammar School. After school, he worked as an accountant for a few years.
Later, he started his broadcasting career. This began with the Hospital Broadcasting Service in Glasgow in the early 1970s.
In 1977, Ken started working for BBC Radio 4 Scotland. He also became a TV announcer for BBC One Scotland and BBC Two Scotland. When BBC Radio Scotland started in 1978, he was one of the first presenters for a show called Nightbeat.
He also hosted a Saturday morning show. In the 1980s, he presented a mid-morning show and an afternoon entertainment show.
Working at BBC Radio 2
Ken Bruce first broadcast for BBC Radio 2 from Scotland. He took over a show called Radio 2 Ballroom in 1980. From 1980 to 1982, he regularly presented this show.
He also became a stand-in presenter for Radio 2. This meant he would fill in for other presenters, like Ray Moore. Ken became a regular presenter for Radio 2 in January 1984. He hosted the Saturday late-night show.
Becoming a Breakfast Show Host
In January 1985, Ken left Radio Scotland. He took over The Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Terry Wogan. He hosted this show until April 1986.
After that, he started his first time hosting the mid-morning show. This lasted until March 1990. He then hosted the late show for the rest of that year.
In 1991, he hosted the early show. On January 6, 1992, he returned to the mid-morning slot. This became the show he was most famous for.
Memorable Moments on Radio 2
While Ken was on holiday in August 2007, Davina McCall filled in for him. This caused many listeners to complain.
In December 2008, a funny thing happened with some fishermen. They accidentally broadcast Ken's show to many ships and coastguard stations. Ken had to ask them on air to "please turn me off."
On April Fools' Day 2011, comedian Rob Brydon pretended to be Ken Bruce. He interviewed "Sir Terry Wogan" who was also an impersonator. Ken himself appeared at the end, pretending to be his "brother Kenn with two Ns."
Broadcasting from Home
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ken presented his show from home. This was from March 2020 to May 2021. He said that working from home made him feel closer to his listeners.
He also mentioned that they had to be more creative with the show. They thanked people working in essential services. They also gave listeners ideas for things to do during lockdown. Ken returned to broadcasting from the BBC studios in June 2021.
Leaving BBC Radio 2
On January 17, 2023, Ken announced he would leave BBC Radio 2. His last show was on March 3, 2023. He decided to move to Greatest Hits Radio.
His final song on Radio 2 was a medley by the Beatles. It included "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", and "The End".
Show Features and Quizzes
Ken Bruce's show always focused on music. On Radio 2, he often had live music performances. He also had a "love song" feature with dedications from listeners.
Other parts of the show included "Record of the Week" and "Album of the Week." There was also "Tracks of My Years," where a celebrity chose two songs that were special to them.
The show also included a daily quiz called PopMaster. Other past competitions included "Spin It to Win It." These were stopped after a phone-in scandal in 2007. PopMaster returned in 2008.
PopMaster Quiz
PopMaster has been a popular part of Ken's show since February 16, 1998. Music expert Phil Swern creates the questions.
If a contestant answers three questions correctly in "Three-in-Ten," they win a smart speaker. If they don't win, they get Bluetooth headphones. In the past, they received a "Space" radio or a CD wallet.
Losing contestants also get a T-shirt that says "One Year Out." This refers to Ken's catchphrase when someone guesses a song's year incorrectly by just one year.
The public PopMaster quiz was paused for a while in 2007. During this time, a celebrity version was played. The regular format returned on January 21, 2008.
Ken himself played PopMaster on May 17, 2013. This was a special Eurovision edition of the quiz. It was broadcast live from Malmö, Sweden.
Greatest Hits Radio
On April 3, 2023, Ken Bruce started his new show on Greatest Hits Radio. The first song he played was "Come Together" by The Beatles. His show now runs weekdays from 10 am to 1 pm. PopMaster is still a part of the show at 10:30 am.
Other TV and Radio Appearances
Ken Bruce presented BBC Proms in the Park for many years. From 1988 to 2022, he was Radio 2's commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest. He also presented the Eurovision Song Contest Previews on BBC One.
He has also appeared on Channel 4's game show Countdown. He was in "Dictionary Corner" several times.
In November 2007, he appeared on a Never Mind the Buzzcocks special for Children in Need. Ken also owns several AEC Routemaster buses with some friends. He thinks they are "a fantastic piece of engineering."
On March 3, 2008, Ken took part in Ready, Steady, Cook on BBC Two. In December 2012, he won an episode of Celebrity Mastermind. His special subject was the Jeeves novels by P.G. Wodehouse.
In 2014, Ken narrated the BBC One game show Reflex. He also appeared in celebrity episodes of The Chase. Ken and his son Charlie were on Big Star's Little Star. In October 2018, he made a brief appearance on Hollyoaks.
In 2022, Ken was interviewed for a BBC One documentary. He spoke about Pennyhooks Farm and his son Murray, who is autistic. In February 2023, Ken and Murray appeared in a BBC Two documentary series called Inside Our Autistic Minds.
In June 2023, Ken narrated a documentary called Sounds Like the 80s. He also presented PopMaster TV on More4 and Channel 4. A second series of PopMaster TV started in May 2024.
Awards and Recognition
In December 2008, Ken Bruce was added to the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for people who have made a big impact in radio.
In September 2018, Ken became the patron of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. He said he was "delighted to take on the role."
Personal Life
Ken Bruce married Kerith Coldham in September 2000. They have two sons and one daughter. Ken also has two sons from his first marriage and a daughter from his second marriage. His youngest child, Charlie, was born in February 2008.
Ken lives in Towersey, Oxfordshire. One of his sons, Murray, is autistic. Ken is very active in supporting charities that help people with autism.
Ken's autobiography, which is his life story, was published on September 4, 2009. It is called The Tracks of My Years: The Autobiography.
Images for kids
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Ken Bruce presenting Proms in the Park in 2006.
