EXCLUSIVE: Ken Bruce reveals that after his second divorce he could barely speak between songs and used the radio as ‘therapy’

Radio legend Ken Bruce has revealed he could barely speak between songs after his second divorce.

Bruce, who left Radio 2 in a major shock after four decades in March, spoke about how broadcasting had helped him through difficult times throughout most of his career, including the “massive low” of his first break-up.

Radio presenter of The Greatest Hits, 72, has tied the knot three times and is married to Kerith Coldham, with whom he tied the knot in 2000.

Bruce first married Fiona Fraser in 1976, with whom he had two children, but the marriage ended twelve years later.

Recalling the time, he said: “That was a massive low point for me.”

Exclusive: Radio legend Ken Bruce, 72, has revealed that after his second divorce he could barely speak between songs as he used the radio as his “therapy”.

Heartbreak: Bruce pictured with his second wife Anne Gilchrist and daughter Kate in 1993

“That doesn’t come out at work.” I actually find work therapeutic. “Being on the radio is really helpful.”

Two years after the divorce, Bruce remarried, only to file for separation again five years later from Anne Gilchrist, with whom he had his fourth child.

However, the radio presenter said after his second heartbreak, the work proved to be a mixed blessing as he found it difficult to cope with the lyrics of sad songs that would leave him almost speechless.

In an interview for the Rosebud podcast released on Friday, September 15, the father of six said: “After my second divorce, I found myself playing records, you know, sad records, like Roy Orbison’s Crying or something like that.” (and it) would really get me down.

“It would be difficult to create the next link.” But that was only temporary. “For the most part, the work was a lot of therapy for me and helped me a lot.”

When asked what caused his first breakup and whether he thought he was too young to get married in his mid-twenties, he replied: “Yes, probably.”

He added: “I was a very good husband at first, but honestly I don’t think I’ve become a great husband.”

“I got into broadcasting. I think I was too worried about what I was doing.

“I think I was too engrossed in my work. For me, the job I do has always been who I am and who I am and what I like to do.

“I loved having a child. I enjoyed it with every single child. But yes, I felt guilty (about his first marriage).’

Third time lucky: The 72-year-old radio presenter has been married three times and is currently married to Kerith Coldham, who he tied the knot with in 2000 (pictured together in 2016).

Former flame: He first tied the knot in 1976 with Fiona Fraser (pictured), with whom he had two children, but the marriage would end twelve years later

I’m looking for help: The PopMaster presenter finally decided to seek professional therapy

Finally the BBC star, whose new TV version of his PopMaster quiz recently aired in prime time on Friday evenings Channel 4, decided to seek professional therapy.

He added: “After my second divorce, I went to a therapist just to talk it out, because at the time I said to everyone, ‘I’ve bored all of you, all of my friends, with my feelings, I’m leaving,’ and with “talk to someone else,” which is what I did.

“That was really helpful. “It didn’t take me long at all to get through it.”

Describing the sessions, he said there wasn’t a single major revelation or solution, but just talking was enough to help him along.

He said: “Occasionally they say, ‘But that means you…’

“There were a few glimpses into my relationship that made me think, ‘That’s not true,’ and then I thought, ‘That’s actually true.”

“But I don’t think I got anything out of it that would work for anyone else.” It was just gut-wrenching.

“It actually helped me.” It was really just a matter of bringing everything into the light and thinking, “Okay, now it’s time to move on.”

But although he admitted that his first marriage suffered because of his dedication to work, Bruce said that despite the popularity and success he later achieved, he did not consider himself a narcissist.

He said, “I don’t care about that measure of success.” I don’t look at my viewership and think, “Oh, fantastic.” I just think, “Well, this isn’t going to last,” or “What does this mean?”

“It just means that people don’t really know who you are.” They just find you so nice and lovable. There is a lot more to me that may not be so nice and beautiful. But that’s what I present and that’s what they enjoy.

“But I don’t leave and go home and think, ‘I’m a big star.’ The kids are always going to pick on you.

“I think if it was all over tomorrow, everything would be fine.” I could walk away from that – I’m pretty sure that’s the case. But I like to do it.

“There are several reasons why I am not retired now, at 72 years old. One of them is that I still have children who are studying. The other thought is that I enjoy it and I love doing it.”

In 2000, Bruce married for the third time, Kerith Coldham, with whom he has three more children: sons Murray (21) and Charlie (15) and a daughter Verity (18).

Bruce hosted Radio 2’s morning show from 1986 until this year, when he announced his departure, saying it was time for a change as he feared he was getting too old for the station and some of its music.

Audience numbers for his GHR slot have already skyrocketed as they tuned in to his old BBC show.

Bruce’s other three children are Campbell, Douglas and Kate, with the eldest being 42 years old.