Rylan gutted about Ken Bruce leaving Radio 2: 'Ken IS Radio 2'

Rylan Clark has paid tribute to Ken Bruce after the radio legend announced he was leaving BBC Radio 2 after more than 30 years with the station.

In a new interview with the Radio Times, Clark particularly celebrated Bruce's contribution to the BBC's Eurovision coverage.

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He said: "To me, Ken is Radio 2. He’s just... he’s Ken Bruce! And for me, you know, Radio 2 Eurovision just is Ken Bruce."

His comments follow on from a tweet made after Bruce announced he was departing the BBC last week. Rylan wrote: "Ken Bruce. A beautiful man who’s always been so lovely to me at @BBCRadio2. Going to be so missed on air, but personally I’ll miss having a beer in a foreign country discussing anything and everything whilst at Eurovision. Thanks for always being so lovely."

Rylan also talked about the UK hosting the competition instead of Ukraine due to the war with Russia: "It’s absolutely terrible what’s going on out in Ukraine. I’m just grateful that we’re able to sort of throw Ukraine’s party over here in the UK, giving them the celebration they deserve."

Clark is also set to host the semi-final draw portion of the competiton along with AJ Odudu live on the BBC. The show will also feature the official handing over ceremony with the mayor of Turin giving the keys to Eurovision to the mayor of Liverpool.

Liverpool will become the sixth UK city to host the singing competition on 13th May and it will be the first time the contest has been held in Britain for 25 years.

The UK has not yet announced who will be represnting the country in the competition.

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Handover and Allocation Draw will air on the BBC on Tuesday 31 January.

Watch below: John Lydon bids to represent Ireland at Eurovision in tribute to wife