Like thousands of others, I've tuned in for a daily fix of warm, irreverent good-humour and a reminder about everything good about living in the UK as Ken entertains with witty throwaways. His gentle disparagement of the ridiculous schemes conjured up by those who think they have power over us always raises a smile as he puts the worst excesses into perspective, having the courage to say what those of us with a working brain cell are thinking. But it's all done in the best possible taste as a certain Mr Everett would say.
And what can you say about Popmaster? Other than the fact it’s really hard, except on the days it’s quite easy! The one time I got through, over a decade ago, I never got to speak to Ken, but I was responsible for Zoe Ball’s first tie-break on only 12 points. Thankfully, it was short and sweet as I bugged out on the first question - something to do with Eurovision. And that question above was the one I couldn’t remember on the day, but now will never forget – The Rembrants. Woulda got me another 6 points in the bonus topic of Hits from TV.
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I must say, it's been quite a poignant swansong, ending as it did with the phenomenal Piano Room Month. For most of February, my daily five-mile walk has been accompanied by the fabulous shows featuring artists as diverse as Michael Ball, Raye and Haircut 100. For us oldies, there was Richard Marx, Belinda Carlisle and Simply Red - a real treat on Valentines' Day, covering Stylistics' You Make me Feel Brand New and Wings' My Love. If you haven't listened to them, I can thoroughly recommend every single show - I even enjoyed Stormzy's tracks. *Steady on, girl!* But he did wrap the whole thing up with a beautifully soulful rendition of Oleta Adams' Get Here. And for those of you who love a quiz but don't immediately recognise her, there's a snooker theme to the right hand pix which might help you guess the identity of the middle performer. |
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Ken feels like family to me - well I have been listening to him spinning discs for over half my life, so I got up in time to listen to all the fun. What an absolute gent. Professional to the last, Ken Bruce showed those less-than executives at the Beeb why he's the Nation's, if not the World's favourite radio presenter.
And what a day! I was already wobbling by the last half hour of Zoe's show and I have to say, she and her listeners did him proud. After playing Holding Out for a Hero, she described "the Mighty Bruce" as a super-smart class act, so supportive of everyone at Radio 2, self-deprecating, a true gent with razor-sharp wit and genuinely hilarious. She then played a tribute created by a couple of listeners, Dear Ken.
During his show, various people hijacked with tributes, including a clip from Rob Brydon's April Fool show. After some decidedly dodgy maths to calculate approximately how many hours he's invaded Ken's show, Jeremy Vine said this: “I’m gonna miss you so much. I’ve worked with some great people and you’re the best. I know you don’t like praise, but you’re the most generous, intelligent, talented colleague. For the presenters at Radio two, you are the Charlie Watts – the presenter we all want to be like.”
History repeats itself as I'm reminded of poor old Simon Mayo's disgraceful ejection back in 2018 from the drive-time show which is now an area I avoid like the plague along with many of my contemporaries. Looking at the plethora of GHR ads, his nose must be a tad out of joint, but GHR have billed themselves as "the home of Simon Mayo" for two years since he joined in March 2021. Interesting that when I searched for posters advertising this, they're nowhere to be found. Just saying.
But R2 seem determined to continue with this foot-shooting. That's me finished with daily shows.
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