Ken Bruce’s TV debut of PopMaster rakes in impressive viewing figures

Ken Bruce’s transfer of PopMaster from radio to TV has proved a hit for More4, with 650,000 viewers tuned in for the opening episode.

It’s been reported the show had the second largest non-terrestrial audience of the day and was only behind Love Island which was tuned into by more than one million on ITV2.

Radio legend Ken made his departure from Radio 2 earlier this year.

Talking about PopMaster ahead of the debut, he told the Mirror: “I probably shouldn’t be on that level where I am in people’s faces all the time,” Ken told Mirror.co.uk ahead of the show’s launch.

“Being on television a lot does make people start to turn against you a little bit.”

READ MORE: Ken Bruce shares fears fans will ‘turn against’ him after Radio 2 exit

During his long Radio 2 stint, Ken’s PopMaster quiz was a hit with listeners and a regular part of the show since the 1990s.

The quiz’s TV transfer seems to have been a success, which could rub salt in the wounds for the BBC, which declined Ken’s offer to trademark the quiz.

Ken left fans shocked after announcing earlier this year that he’d be swapping the BBC for Greatest Hits Radio.

The 72-year-old had presented the weekday Radio 2 show for three decades.

In February, he told his Twitter followers: “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!”

Responding to PopMaster’s TV debut success, some have responded via social media to congratulate the new show.

Twitter user @Brekkietweets penned: “Oh, I’d love it to beat Love Island by the end of the week.”

@northlad1231 penned: “Good rating, think @itv should have taken this as made by @itvstudios, would have got a few million on

@officalITV.”

Some called for a bigger channel to take on the show, with @MattZeeMiller sharing: “Have a repeat of #popmasterTV on main

@Channel4 at weekend early evening not just screened once on more 4 hint hint @Channel4 even bigger audience and big build up primetime schedule ar weekends.”

“Baffled why this isn’t on Channel 4,” @__John_1980_ added.

@MattZeeMiller suggested: “@ITV should consider going back to half hour @itvcorrie but go out every weeknight like when #BGT live showson. Have @emmerdale, @itvcorrie then able to fit in quiz and game shows weeknights before dramas and news. All weeknights sorted yearly as quizzes work in primetime.” (sic)

PopMaster continues on Wednesday at 8pm on More4.