Ken Bruce showered with support after saying BBC wanted him to leave early with just days left of his Radio 2 show

Ken Bruce has been showered with support from fans after saying the BBC wanted him to leave early. Ken took to Twitter with a statement to say his last BBC Radio 2 show will air next Friday, rather than the end of March as he had intended.

The legendary broadcaster, who has presented his mid-afternoon show at the station for 31 years, said yesterday evening: "I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!"

It was announced in January that Ken, 72, whose show is the most listened-to on British radio, is moving to Bauer’s Greatest Hits Radio to present a brand new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm from Monday April 3. The Scottish radio DJ said he would “always be proud” of his association with the BBC and Radio 2, but that he wanted to continue his career “in a slightly different way in the next few years."

READ MORE: Gemma Atkinson claps back at Gorka Marquez as he returns home after 10 days and asks 'what's happened in here'

Yesterday afternoon it was revealed that Ken would be replaced by Bolton broadcaster Vernon Kay. The 2020 I'm a Celebrity finalist, who had his own Radio One show and has filled in on for Rylan Clark, Dermot O'Leary and Steve Wright and Zoe Ball on Radio 2, will take over the position in May.

The BBC has said in response to Ken's statement: "Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and it’s always been known he’s leaving in March. Returning to Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions at Maida Vale provided a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future."

Author and quiz show presenter Richard Osman told Ken: