The long-serving DJ says it’s “time for a change” and he’ll join rival station Greatest Hits Radio.
BBC Radio 2’s Ken Bruce has announced on air that he is leaving the station after 31 years hosting its weekday mid-morning show.
His slot is the most listened-to show on UK radio, and he will now join rival station Greatest Hits Radio.
“I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2,” he said, adding he’d had “a tremendously happy time” but it was “time for a change”.
His departure comes after Steve Wright left after 23 years as afternoon host.
Other popular presenters who have also left the station in the past year include Paul O’Grady and Vanessa Feltz.
Bruce told listeners: “I’ll reach the end of my current contract in March, and so at that point I will be moving on from Radio 2.
“I have been here for quite a long time now, and it possibly is time to move over and let somebody else have a go.”
His programme, well known for its daily Popmaster quiz, is the most popular programme on British radio with more than 8.5 million weekly listeners, according to data from industry body Rajar.
One of the station’s longest-serving hosts, he joined the BBC in 1977 and took his first regular Radio 2 slot in 1984.
He moved to mid-mornings in 1986 before periods on late nights and early mornings, and moved back to what would become his permanent slot in 1992.
He said: “I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up and I would like to continue my career in a slightly different way in the next few years.”
In a subsequent statement issued by Greatest Hits Radio, Bruce said Popmaster would feature in his new programme, which will begin on 3 April.