Greatest Hits Radio Scotland: Get to know Ken Bruce
Ken is here every Monday to Friday with PopMaster
Last updated 18th Nov 2024
Catch Ken Bruce on our airwaves every Monday to Friday from 10am - 1pm. He's part of our line-up of amazing presenters including Ewen Cameron, Cat Harvey, Simon Mayo, and Martin Kemp.
You can listen to Ken every weekday from 10am-1pm on Greatest Hits Radio, with his beloved PopMaster quiz at 10.30am. Join us as we take you through everything you need to know about Ken - or should we say Ken Bruce MBE!
Who is Ken Bruce?
Ken Bruce is a Scottish presenter with a wealth of broadcasting experience. He is one of the UK's most listened-to radio presenters, with one of the most instantly recognisable, distinctive and - let's be honest - calming voices the country has ever known!
A lot of people ask whether Ken is related to Fiona Bruce - we can confirm this is not true!
Where is he from?
Ken was born in Glasgow, and this is where he grew up, attending Hutchesons' Boys' Grammar School.
His Scottish sense of humour comes through in his broadcasting, and while speaking to The Scotsman in 2009 he explained what he was like on air: "People get a bit of needle from me but I reserve the sharpest needle for myself. It's a Scottish thing. Good… tough… a wee bit harsh. You give it and you take it back."
When is Ken's birthday?
His birthday is 2nd February and he was born in 1951.
Ken Bruce: Before radio
Although he has worked in radio for many years, this wasn't always the career path Ken was on! He started out as an accountant, although he admitted to being "truly terrible" in a Q&A with us.
He explained: "I was an accountant for a couple of years. I was terrible at it, truly terrible. I was lazy and didn't do the classes and I went to the pub instead! But I didn't enjoy it. So I went off to wash cars for a few months and then I got a job with that company.
"They put me into the office and I eventually became a manager for all the time radio somewhere at the back of my mind, really wanted to do radio and eventually managed it."
How long has Ken been on the radio?
During the announcement that he would be joining our station, Ken revealed that he's been broadcasting for an impressive 45 years!
After accountancy didn't pan out and he'd had his fill of washing cars, Ken then got a job on hospital radio, working for the Hospital Broadcasting Service in Glasgow. He's now a patron of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio, and said at his appointment: "Hospital radio remains an important part of patient care and welfare in the first part of the 21st century.
"Because it's personal, there's nothing quite the same or as good as hearing a friendly voice speaking directly to you in programmes tailored specifically for your situation.
"For that reason, Hospital Radio continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteers. And nowhere is doing a better job than Stoke Mandeville, which is why I am delighted to take on the role of patron."
He then secured a role at the BBC in 1978 - and the rest is history.
Why does Ken love being on the radio?
Ken explained in an interview with The Scotsman that being the youngest in a family with four kids contributed to his job in radio. He said: "I was the baby and couldn't get a word in. I would just throw in one line – which would always get a laugh – but I would have to wait for the moment. I always think being on the radio is my chance to speak without being interrupted."
When is Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio across Scotland?
You can listen to his show weekdays 10am-1pm with PopMaster at 10:30.
Is he still doing PopMaster?
Yes! Ken is bringing PopMaster with him to his show on Greatest Hits Radio across Scotland.
Everything you need to know about Ken Bruce's PopMaster on Greatest Hits Radio.
What kind of music does Ken play?
You can expect to hear all of the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s on Ken's show but he is also passionate about supporting Scottish artists. Over the years, many musicians have even given him the exclusive first play of their new songs including Annie Lennox's 'I Put A Spell On You’ and Simple Minds' 'Broken Glass Park'.
He has also had the first play of tracks from Amy Macdonald, KT Tunstall, Callum Beattie, and Paolo Nutini. When it was announced Ken Bruce was joining Greatest Hits Radio, Amy MacDonald responded with a tweet calling him ‘The Goat’ meaning ‘The Greatest Of All Time’. As Amy is good pals with Ewen & Cat at Breakfast they might have something to say about her calling Ken 'The Goat'!
How to get in touch with Ken Bruce
Contact Ken at ken@greatesthitsradio.co.uk or text Ken + your message to 61054.
Fun facts about Ken Bruce
Ken Bruce plays the drums
As well as being an avid music lover, Ken is also a musician and plays the drums in a cover band called No Direction. The group plays in pubs and venues across Oxfordshire, where he now lives. In 2019, he told the Scottish Daily Mail: "We do two or three concerts a year. I don't sing, I don't do announcements or anything like that. It's a case of, 'Don't look at me, just let me do it'."
Ken has a bus collection
Not quite your average collector's item, but Ken co-owns a selection of vintage buses. He tweeted in 2016 that he had a collection of seven!
When was Ken on Mastermind?
Ken took part in Celebrity Mastermind back in December 2012 and even won! He took on TV presenter Sid Sloane, comedian Holly Walsh and 80s legend Paul Young, emerging victorious with his specialist subject being P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves novels.
Ken's autobiography
Ken has an autobiography called Tracks of my Years which was published in 2009. The official synopsis reads: 'From his childhood in 1950s Glasgow ... to his wilderness years as an accountant when he longed to achieve his dream, Tracks of My Years tells the story of Ken Bruce's remarkable career.
'Ken writes with insight into the world of radio and delivers lots of brilliant anecdotes from his interviews with celebrities. He also writes about bringing up his autistic son and – unusually – the happiness it brings him and his wife and the many positives of what is so often portrayed as a heartbreaking situation.'
Did Rob Brydon take over Ken Bruce's radio show?
Ken worked with talented impressionist and comedian Rob Brydon to fool listeners on April Fool's Day in 2011, with Rob pretending to be Ken on air. Rob impersonated Ken for his full two-hour show and he was able to carry off Ken's voice pretty well - but die-hard listeners could tell something was up.
At the time, Ken said: "It's been wonderful to be able to listen to the radio - tuning into someone entertaining in the morning for a change. I'm offering him a contract to share the honours on a regular basis."
Rob added: "They were big shoes to fill but I loved the challenge of being Ken for the whole show. I'd seen Being John Malkovich and wanted to take it to the next level." He also spoke about impersonating Ken while on This Morning in 2015.
Ken Bruce's tribute to Terry Wogan
Ken was great friends with fellow radio legend Sir Terry Wogan and when Terry sadly passed away in 2016 Ken released an open letter to his friend. In the letter, he explained how they'd worked "very happily together on a daily basis for nearly 20 years."
He continued: "I would count him as a good friend and a colleague. We never had a cross word in all that time. It was a very happy time throughout. Everybody in broadcasting today has learned from Terry Wogan - his greatest lesson was just to be yourself, which he always was.
"Terry was a life enhancer and I always felt better for being in his company. We had some tremendous laughs. He was absolutely himself at all times when he was broadcasting."
Ken was made an MBE
On 16th June 2023, the wonderful news was announced that our very own Ken was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list. He was appointed an MBE for his services to radio, autism awareness and to charity.
Upon the honorary appointment, Ken spoke of how he hoped it would highlight the challenges facing autistic people following his son’s diagnosis. In his autobiography, Tracks Of My Years, Ken detailed his experience raising his autistic son Murray, who is non-verbal, with his wife Kerith.
How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio across Scotland
Clyde 2 is now Greatest Hits Radio Glasgow & the West. Listen on DAB, AM, Apps, Online and Smart Speakers.
Forth 2 is now Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk. Listen on DAB, AM, Apps, Online and Smart Speakers.
MFR 2 is now Greatest Hits Radio The North of Scotland. Listen on DAB, AM, Apps, Online and Smart speakers.
Northsound 2 is now Greatest Hits Radio North East Scotland. Listen on DAB, Apps, Online and Smart Speakers.
Radio Borders is now Greatest Hits Radio (Scottish Borders & North Northumberland). Listen on FM, Apps, Online and Smart Speakers.
Tay 2 is now Greatest Hits Radio Tayside & Fife. Listen on DAB, AM, Apps, Online and Smart Speakers.
West Sound Ayrshire (AM) is now Greatest Hits Radio Ayrshire. Listen on DAB, AM, Apps, Online and Smart speakers.
West Sound Dumfries & Galloway (FM) is now Greatest Hits Radio Dumfries & Galloway. Listen on FM, Apps, Online and Smart Speakers.
Read more:
How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio across all your devices
Everything you need to know about PopMaster with Ken Bruce
Get to know our Greatest Hits Radio presenters