Channel 4’s hit music quiz Popmaster is returning for a ‘bigger and better second series’ with radio legend Ken Bruce once again hosting.
The show was previously a staple of the 73-year-old’s BBC Radio 2 show, before transitioning to a TV following his exit from the corporation last year.
As well as a new series Popmaster will have also feature a celebrity special with guests Toyah Wilcox, Sally Lindsay and Richard Blackwood.
Speaking about the show’s return Ken told The Sun: ‘I think it’s bigger and better this time. We’ve refined it just a little bit with a new round’.
He revealed the new round was called Mix Tape and would leave viewers on the edge of their seats: ‘There’s a button the players have to press to stop a randomiser going up and down lots of different music categories and nobody ever seems to manage to stop it on the one they want, it always seems to stop on the one after’.
Channel 4 ‘s hit music quiz Popmaster is returning for a ‘bigger and better second series’ with radio legend Ken Bruce once again hosting
The show was previously a staple of the 73-year-old’s BBC Radio 2 show, before transitioning to a TV following his exit from the corporation last year
Before adding: ‘As it goes along, the randomiser gets faster and then it becomes even harder to land on what you want it to. It’s a really good new addition!’
Last month Ken marked his first year with Greatest Hits Radio following his move from the BBC.
The radio broadcaster was best known for presenting his mid-morning Radio 2 show from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1992 to 2023.
However in January 2023, Ken announced he would be leaving the BBC to join rival commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.
And for the birthday special, bosses have honoured one of Ken’s long-held wishes as they are granting him the permission to host Thursday’s show from the pub.
While Ken’s iconic PopMaster segment will still feature, producers teased that it will feature some surprise special guests and live performances for the birthday special.
After announcing his move to Greatest Hits Radio, Ken later took a swipe at the BBC after bosses demanded he step down from his role 17 days early, with Gary Davies taking over his slot until permanent replacement Vernon Kay joined in May 2023.
Ken told his fans that after decades with the BBC, he wanted to continue his career ‘in a slightly different way in the next few years’.
Speaking about the show’s return Ken said: ‘I think it’s bigger and better this time. We’ve refined it just a little bit with a new round’
Last month Ken marked his first year with Greatest Hits Radio following his move from the BBC
However, the presenter claimed the national broadcaster asked him to leave Radio 2 before the end of his contract.
In a tweet, Ken said: ‘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!’
He later told the Daily Mail that he ‘wasn’t given any real reason that I understood’ by the BBC for the decision to move his final programme.
However, sources told The Sun: ‘The BBC believe that every second he is on air is just free advertising for his new show on Greatest Hits Radio.
‘They became frustrated by the rival station launching a marketing campaign for his show. It leaves a sour taste.’
In response to Bruce’s comments, a Radio 2 spokesman said: ‘Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and it’s always been known he’s leaving in March.
Meanwhile the star recently criticised the BBC over a ‘lack of support’ following his shock radio exit.
Ken has claimed his programme didn’t get a mention or any form of promotion when it became the biggest show on air.
He told The Telegraph earlier this month: ‘I didn’t want any hoo-ha, so when my show became the biggest show on radio, I didn’t want to say anything about it but I kind of thought the BBC should.
‘I wasn’t expecting to be carried on a litter with people strewing palms in front of me, but I thought, surely that’s worth a mention? As far as I’m aware, it wasn’t mentioned by the BBC at all. Ever ‘.
A spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment.
Ken Bruce, Greatest Hits Radio, Thursday 28th March, 10am – 1pm