Radio 2’s new music quiz, “Ten To The Top,” which replaced Ken Bruce’s beloved Popmaster, has sparked controversy after a contestant named ‘Sheila’ was accused of cheating.
Furious listeners accused Sheila of secretly using her phone to help her answer questions, which led to suspicions due to her four-second pause before giving correct answers.
Some people on social media called Sheila an “obvious and blatant” cheat and stated that she had no place on their pub-quiz team. Some even accused her of being a stooge given the answers in advance.
The quiz, which sees two contestants compete head-to-head to answer ten music questions, has been criticized by some listeners for being a carbon copy of Popmaster.
Others have found the scoring system confusing, making it harder to participate. Despite the criticism, the quiz will continue, and Vernon Kay will take over Bruce’s old slot in the schedule.
Radio 2 has been accused of ageism following the departure of several of its most well-known hosts, including Steve Wright, Paul O’Grady, Vanessa Feltz, and Simon Mayo.
According to a source, there has been a noticeable shift in direction to attract a younger audience, which may have contributed to Bruce’s departure. BBC insiders claim that Bruce felt “unloved” by bosses, who failed to reassure him over a new contract, even though they wanted to keep him.
Bruce has been at the BBC for 45 years, 31 of them presenting his Radio 2 mid-morning show. Despite being the most listened-to DJ in Europe, he joined commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio after the BBC failed to inform him about a contract renewal. The unexpected announcement of his departure has sparked discord at the BBC, with many regarding it as entirely avoidable.
While one source disputed the contract claims, stating that Bruce was reassured on more than one occasion that his future on Radio 2 was safe, the Scottish star was reportedly unsettled by the way the corporation had axed presenter Steve Wright’s long-running show last year amid a push to appeal to younger listeners.
Bruce had also asked bosses to stop making him play “tuneless dance music,” but his pleas went unanswered.
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