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BBC Radio 2 loses 150,000 listeners as Ken Bruce fans desert broadcaster in favour of rival Greatest Hits Radio


Greatest Hits Radio has poached three presenters from Radio 2 including Ken Bruce (pictured), 73, Simon Mayo, 66, and Paul Gambaccini, 75.

Weekly listeners for the station between July and September were down by more than 150,000 on the same period last year, as fans flock to rivals featuring former BBC presenters. A decision by the BBC on whether it seeks to go ahead with the new digital-only service is expected next month when the Corporation's interest test is published. Phil Riley, Boom's co-founder, said: 'It is baffling that BBC bosses may still be considering spending millions of pounds more of the public's money to launch a radio station aimed at baby boomers, despite knowing there is a fast-growing, successful commercial station already providing that exact same service, and given the almost daily press stories about the BBC's lack of funds.'

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Greatest Hits Radio

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Ken Bruce

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