Latest news with #KenBruce
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Radio stations thrown into chaos and scramble to find last minute stand-ins as both Vernon Kay and Ken Bruce miss their shows in a 'freak twist' after getting 'trapped' on broken down train
The airwaves were thrown into chaos on Tuesday morning, after two major radio presenters were late to their shows due to a broken down train. BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio were both forced to find stand-ins and make last-minute shake-ups their schedules after both Vernon Kay and Ken Bruce were caught up in the railway disruption. Vernon, 51, was due to begin his Radio 2 slot at 9.30am, but failed to arrive after becoming 'trapped' on a broken down Chiltern Railways train in the sweltering heatwave. Sara Cox, who is already standing in for Scott Mills, stepped in to take the reigns, extending the Breakfast Show for 30 more minutes and explaining the situation to listeners. The DJ - who coincidentally also hails from Vernon's hometown of Bolton - said: 'Oh no, I've just realised I'm not gonna be in time for reformer Pilates. 'If you just joined in and you're thinking Vernon is sounding a little extra-manly today, don't worry. It's me: Sara, from the same area obviously, though famously. 'Vernon, poor Vernon stuck on a hot, sweaty train with no coffee, no air-con, no deodorant. So he's going to get in at some point, hopefully.' Vernon himself took to his Instagram Stories to lament the situation, sharing a selfie onboard the train with the caption: 'The train isn't training. Hang fire @djsaracox Send deodorant and coffee!' As the delay stretched on, broadcaster Gary Davies took over from Sara at 10am to fill in for Vernon, telling listeners: 'I was supposed to be teeing off around now, but it's just going to have to wait. 'If you just tuned in and wondering were Vernon is, he was on his train like usual and the train broke down and so he has been in sweltering hot heat and they had to send a rescue train which also broke down. 'He's not going nowhere. And he's still trying to get here. Will he make it or not? If you spot him let me know where he is.' Vernon then sent several voice notes in to the show to play over the airwaves, where he expressed his gratitude towards 'gentleman' Gary for covering for him. He said: 'Hi Gary, it's Vernon. I'm sat on a train, thanks very much for covering for me' before asking his fellow stuck passengers to say hello. He went on: 'We are trapped on the train. We are still not in good spirits but we are trying Gary, we really are trying. All the best. You're a gentleman. Have a great show.' But it wasn't only Vernon who was caught out by the railway chaos, with Ken, 74, also missing the start of his slot on his Greatest Hits Radio show. The veteran broadcaster hosts the weekday from 10am to 1pm, but didn't make it to the studio until 11.38am after also becoming trapped on the train. Simon Ross stepped in to present the first 30 minutes, saying: 'Ken was stuck on a train and will hopefully arrive in time for PopMaster' before Claire Sturgess then took over. Taking to his X account to apologise to listeners, Ken explained: 'My apologies. Thanks to yet another broken down train from @chilternrailway I will be late on the show @greatesthitsuk this morning. 'Second time in a month. And yes I do leave plenty of time to get in! Thanks to @rossie7dj for holding the fort!' And fans couldn't help but notice that both Ken and Vernon were facing the same battle and guess that the two radio stars were trapped on the same train in a 'freak twist', joking the pair could 'have a catch-up' or 'carpool'. Taking to the replies of Ken's tweet, they joked: 'Same with @vernonkay. Are you two planning a late cheeky breakfast together?'; 'Is Vernon on the same train ?' 'On the same train as @vernonkay by any chance?'; 'Have you seen Vernon Kay, think he's on the same train & is late in too.' 'You and Vernon on the same train !! Did you have a catch up ?!'; 'Are you and @vernonkay on the same broken down train?' 'You and @vernonkay should share a car!'; 'I bet Vernon is on the same train!'; 'You with Vernon kay he's having a similar problem'. 'Chiltern Railways certainly impacting our radio stations… Vernon and Ken both held up by Chiltern Trains' pesky stock being utterly unfit for purpose.' 'In a freak twist Vernon is probably on the same train...'; '@vernonkay must be on the same train #late'. 'should carpool with vernon'; 'Is @vernonkay on the same train? Because he's also late for his show because of the train breaking down'. 'I take it Ken's stranded with Vernon? Are they playing 'battle of the pop quizzes' whilst banged up together?' Adding credence to the suggestion, Vernon previously revealed in November 2023 that he and Ken take the same train to work each day and often bump into each other on the commute. He told The Radio Times: 'We take the same train every morning! He gets on a few stops further down the line but we bump into each other all the time – we say hello and have a chinwag'. The former Family Fortunes host famously took over Ken's Radio 2 show, two months after Ken jumped ship to join commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio after hosting the same BBC slot since 1986. And fans couldn't help but notice that both Ken and Vernon were facing the same battle and guess that the two radio stars were trapped on the same train in a 'freak twist', joking the pair could 'have a catch-up' or 'carpool' Previously he said he had left the BBC after three decades in the same slot because it was 'time for a change' and it felt 'like the natural culmination of some planning I've been doing'. But now Ken has revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become 'bitter and entrenched', saying: 'It was a long time and I thought I'm doing the same thing every day. 'There was a point of saying that I can't enthuse over all the new music I'm having to play as much as I could over the old music. And I didn't want to get to the stage where I was badmouthing some of the music [or] pretending to like it.' The father of six elaborated: 'I certainly did think I've got a bit more to offer. I didn't want to be declining over the next three or four years and still doing the same show, but everybody around me getting younger and thinking, 'Am I the old bloke in the corner here?' 'I was the youngster on the station and then almost overnight I became the veteran, and I didn't want to become the old grump in the corner saying 'things aren't what they used to be', or [to] any new idea say, 'No, we tried that, didn't work', which does happen. I just felt I would get more bitter and entrenched.' Ken added that the switch to Greatest Hits Radio had given him a new lease of life, insisting: 'I do feel that it's rejuvenated me to a certain extent. 'I loved working for the BBC. I think it's a great institution. But maybe for the last couple of years I can't be blamed for just trying something else.'
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Must-watch TV: Jeremy Vine's new puzzle game as ITV comedy breaks boundaries
Jeremy Vine and Ken Bruce front two new quiz shows this week, promising plenty of mind-bending twists this week. But there are also plenty of dramas for fans of explosive thrills. Prince William and Princess Anne have shaped modern monarchy in their own way - so it's no surprise Channel 5 is dedicating two documentaries on the heir to the throne and the Princess Royal this week. The broadcaster has also promised exciting challenges ahead with Celebrity Puzzling, a brand new puzzle game show in which Jeremy Vine defies household names to the ultimate puzzle game. Ken Bruce follows a similar theme on Channel 4 with his PopMasterTV heading to the small screen. ITV2, on the other hand, is introducing a ground-breaking comedy with Jordan Gray taking the lead in Transaction. Here are all the shows you need to keep an eye on this week. Prince William: Passion, Honour... Saturday, 5 Prince William takes centre stage in this candid and revealing documentary that charts his journey from childhood to the present day. Using rare archival footage and key interviews, it explores his upbringing, relationship with his mother, Princess Diana, and very public fallout with Prince Harry. Poised to be kind, William is presented not just as a royal, but as a man shaped by loss and duty. It's a fascinating portrait of a prince on the brink of kingship and a man navigating family, fame and the future. Capital's Summertime Ball Couldn't make it to Wembley? Rest assured - ITV brings the party to your living room. Hosted by Sian Welby, Chris Stark and Jordan North on Capital Breakfast, this year's Summertime Ball is packed with performances from the biggest stars around: Mariah Carey, McFly, even rising sensation Lola Young. With Eurovision favourites Remember Monday also hitting the stage, expect fireworks, sing-alongs and feel-good vibes in one of the UK's most anticipated music events of the summer. The Gilded Age Monday, Sky Back with its third season, The Gilded Age is a deliciously dramatic look at the clash between old money and new ambition in 1880s America. Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) has her eyes set on social domination while her husband George (Morgan Spector) risks everything in a financial gamble. With stunning visuals, iconic returns from Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski, and cutthroat stakes, it's a lavish, addictive drama about legacy, power and what people will do to keep their place in history. PopMasterTV Monday, C4 Ken Bruce brings his beloved music quiz to TV, and it's as charming as ever. Five music buffs face off in a battle of pop trivia, racing through decades of chart history in a fame where memory is everything. With singalong classics, retro facts and Ken's dry wit holding it all together, PopMasterTV is a nostalgic gem. Whether you're a chart nerd of a casual fan, it's the kind of feel-good, comforting telly that'll have you shouting answers from the sofa. Crime Scene Cleaners Monday, C4 Behind every crime scene lies a brutal mess - and a clean-up crew willing to face the unthinkable. This ten-part series follows real-life trauma cleaners in the UK and US as they scrub, sanitise and support victims' families through unimaginable loss. From robberies to gruesome murders, it's gritty, graphic and gut-wrenching - but also deeply humane. With 24/7 call-outs and extraordinary compassion, Crime Scene Cleaners shines a light on the unsung heroes helping others start over - one horrific job at a time. Celebrity Puzzling Tuesday, 5 It's brains over brawn in this cosy celebrity competition hosted by Jeremy Vine. Team captains Carol Vorderman and Sally Lindsay star with their celeb squads, going head-to-head in battles of logic, memory, wordplay and wit. With laugh-out-loud moments, surprisingly tense showdowns and appearances from stars like Gareth Malone and Scarlett Moffatt, Celebrity Puzzling is perfect telly for puzzle lovers. It's gentle, satisfying and the perfect watch to unwind. Transaction Tuesday, ITV2 Jordan Gray is a force of nature in this chaotic comedy about Liv, a trans nightshift worker who makes her supermarket shift anything but ordinary. Hired as a PR stunt after the manager (Nick Frost) makes an offensive remark, Liv quickly realises she's unsackable - and uses it to cause glorious havoc. Transaction is sharp, silly and proudly anarchic, with Jordan's wild charisma driving every scene. It's messy, loud and defiant - and one of the boldest new British comedies in ages. Ironheart Tuesday, Disney+ After the events of Wakanda Forever, Riri Williams takes the MCU baton in Ironheart, a sleek new Marvel series where tech meets magic. Dominique Throne shines as Riri, an MIT genius caught in a dangerous game with the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos). As tensions rise between science and sorcery, Riri must build more than a super-suit - she has to build her own legacy. Big on action, packed with heart and essential for Phase Five fans, this is Marvel's next big swing. The Kim Kardashian Diamond Heist Wednesday, BBC3 In 2016, Kim Kardashian was tied up at gunpoint in a Paris hotel and robbed of millions in jewels - a crime that shocked the world. This gripping BBC doc unpacks the full story, from police investigations and trial footage to interviews with journalists and those close to the US reality TV star. Revisiting that terrifying night and the global fallout, this documentary uncovers details that were kept quiet - until now. It's glossy, revealing and surprisingly emotional. Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges Wednesday, BBC1 Amol Rajan embarks on a moving and personal journey to India's Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. Surrounded by millions of pilgrims and extraordinary rituals, he reflects on faith, family and identity - while reconnecting with his birthplace. This isn't just a documentary about spectacle; it's a deep, soulful exploration of belonging and spirituality. Beautifully shot and quietly profound, this one-off hour captures something few travel shows ever do: the emotional pull of home and the power of belief. The Bear Thursday, Disney + Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) is back in the kitchen for season four, and the heat is on. With the restaurant gaining momentum and the stakes rising, Carmy, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) face new hurdles that threaten to boil over. A raw, intense exploration of ambition, grief and grit, The Bear mixes chaos and tenderness with razor-sharp precision. Get ready for more kitchen meltdowns and quiet victories in this unmissable drama. Squid Game Friday, Netflix The global hit reaches its final act, and Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is out for justice. Haunted by his past and driven by grief, he sets out to destroy the Game once and for all. But the elusive Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) has other plans, and the psychological warfare only deepens. Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, this intense, emotional conclusion delivers shocks, heart and explosive tension as Squid Game cements its place in TV history with an unforgettable final chapter. Princess Anne: Royal Rule Breaker Friday, 9pm, 5 She's the monarchy's steeliest operator and this 90-minute documentary finally gives her her due. Often overlooked but never outdone, Princess Anne has quietly become the Royal Family 's hardest grafter and boldest spirit. From Olympic glory to diplomatic duty, this film traces her evolution from headstrong teen to pillar of the Crown. Featuring expert insight, archive footage and rare glimpses behind palace doors, it's a tribute to a woman who plays by her own rules - and rarely puts a foot wrong.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Radio 2 breakfast show's audience drops after Zoe Ball's exit
The BBC Radio 2 breakfast show lost more than 360,000 listeners following Zoe Ball's exit, new audience figures presenter hosted her final breakfast programme in December after six years in the slot, and recently took up a new role fronting Saturday afternoons on the her departure, DJ Mark Goodier covered the show for most of January, until new host Scott Mills took over at the end of that 2 still comfortably has the most popular breakfast show in the UK, attracting an audience of 6.45 million between January and March, a 5% drop on the previous quarter, according to industry ratings body Rajar. Ball had added more than 200,000 listeners during her final three months on the taking over the breakfast show, Mills was replaced on his former afternoon slot by Trevor Nelson, whose evening programme was taken over by DJ Kay attracted an audience of 6.73 million in the first three months of 2025, meaning his mid-morning show retained its crown as the most popular radio programme in the UK. The show is down, however, on the audience of 8.2 million achieved by his predecessor Ken Bruce, who left in 2023. The station's weekly audience fell by about half a million compared with its previous total of 13.65 million in the final quarter of 2024, Rajar 2 chief Helen Thomas said: "In a quarter which saw Radio 2 launch a new daytime schedule in late January, host some of the world's most loved musicians in the Piano Room throughout February, and celebrate country music in March, I'm thrilled that Radio 2 remains the UK's most popular radio station with 13.11m listeners each week."Listening figures often drop after major schedule changes, and Ball herself lost nearly 800,000 listeners in 2019 after Chris Evans' breakfast show regularly attracted more than nine million listeners during Evans' tenure. That figure has not been matched since, although radio audiences have become increasingly fragmented in recent BBC, and Radio 2 in particular, went through a tumultuous period around 2022, which saw several high-profile figures leave the station, either by choice or through schedule Heart's breakfast show, hosted by Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden, has seen its audience rise by 250,000 attracted a record audience of 4.3 million in the first quarter of the year, cementing its status as the most popular commercial breakfast show in the Gok Wan's first three months co-hosting Magic Radio's breakfast show, alongside Harriet Scott, saw the programme marginally increase its audience to 862, it is still significantly down on the 1.2 million listeners it had a year ago, when it was fronted by former Boyzone singer Ronan breakfast show, hosted by Jordan North, was down by 140,000 listeners after a leap in listeners following his arrival last after a loss of more than a quarter of a million in 2024, Kiss Breakfast, hosted by Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, climbed by 80,000 in the latest quarter.
