Ken Bruce praised the BBC as “still the finest broadcasting institution in the world” despite the “occasional vagary” as he signed off his final show on Radio 2.
The Scottish presenter chose the medley of Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight and The End that closes The Beatles’ album Abbey Road to close his last mid-morning programme after 30 years.
During his final address he thanked listeners, members of the Ken Bruce Preservation Society who gave him a bottle of Irish cream liquor, and his production crew.
Echoing a Beatles lyric, he added: “In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make and I have loved being here with you.”
Earlier on Friday, Bruce told Radio 4’s Today programme “it seems a shame” the BBC asked him to step away earlier from his contract as he leaves for a rival mid-morning show.
He added: “Over the last 46 years I haven’t had very much time off, I’ve attempted to turn up whenever I’m required to turn up.
“So my natural feeling as a broadcaster is if I’ve got 17 days to do, I want to do them.”
Opening the show, Bruce warned listeners not “expect hidden messages” in the songs he plays.
The programme also featured his long-standing segment PopMaster, presented by him for the final time on Radio 2.
Anna, from Hastings, a singer-songwriter, scored three out of a total possible 39 points while council employee Paul, from Norwich, took the win with 27 points.
Bruce asked Paul and fellow contestant Anna to make their traditional dedications as part of the long-standing segment.
Anna made a dedication to family and friends along with Bruce, who she said had been a “warm and funny friend to the nation” who provided a “soundtrack” to “our lives”.
A Radio 2 spokesperson previously said: “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.”
Bruce will be moving to Bauer’s Greatest Hits Radio in April to present a new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm.
Last week, the BBC announced that TV presenter Vernon Kay will take over Bruce’s Radio 2 slot on a date yet to be announced.
Gary Davies, host of the station’s Sounds Of The 80s, will present the mid-morning show from March 6 until Kay takes over the helm, the corporation also said.
