Tony Blackburn vows not to embarrass anyone by staying on air too long

Tom Beasley
Updated

Radio veteran Tony Blackburn has now been in the business for 60 years, but he doesn't want to slow down any time soon. The 81-year-old broadcaster said he will keep going for as long as he feels able to do it.

The star marked his career milestone with an appearance on Good Morning Britain, in which he reflected on his biggest achievements. He also explained why he has been able to keep going for so long and what might make him finally hang up his microphone for good.

Tony Blackburn doesn't want to end his 60-year broadcasting career just yet. (AFP/Getty)
Tony Blackburn doesn't want to end his 60-year broadcasting career just yet. (AFP/Getty) (ANDREW MATTHEWS via Getty Images)

Blackburn discussed the history of his radio career with GMB presenters Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh, including the time he fell asleep during a seven-hour live broadcast. But when the topic of his future came up, Blackburn was asked about previous comments suggesting he would continue his career as long as Cliff Richard — who is currently 83 — does.

Blackburn said: "I only want to go on when I think I'm doing it alright. I'm not going to embarrass anybody by going on."

Tony Blackburn has been associated with BBC radio ever since the 1960s. (Redferns)
Tony Blackburn has been associated with BBC radio ever since the 1960s. (Redferns) (Pete Still via Getty Images)

As for the secret of his youth, Blackburn explained that the specific focus of his Saturday show on BBC Radio 2 — Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn — helps to keep things interesting for the former I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner.

"It's just been a natural thing really. I enjoy what I'm doing," he said of his longevity. "I'm literally enjoying the programmes because all the music I play I'm choosing myself. So I'm not playing anything that I don't like, and that's the great thing about it really."

Tony Blackburn (right) was the first DJ's voice to be heard when BBC Radio 1 launched in 1967. (Mirrorpix/Getty)
Tony Blackburn (right) was the first DJ's voice to be heard when BBC Radio 1 launched in 1967. (Mirrorpix/Getty) (Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Blackburn started his career on pirate radio in the early part of the 1960s before becoming part of the original line-up of DJs for BBC Radio 1 in 1967. He was the first voice ever heard on the station and played its first record, Flowers in the Rain by The Move.

He spent many years as a BBC presenter, but has since plied his trade at various stations across the commercial sector. He has been the host of Sound of the 60s since 2017.

Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh fronted Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain. (ITV)
Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh fronted Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain. (ITV) (RAY BURMISTON)

Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain featured the usual array of chat on big news issues, as well as interviews.

Richard Madeley actually had to cut one interview about the UK's education crisis short after a sound mishap. There was also an interview segment with Andy Murray to mark his retirement from singles tennis.

Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays on ITV at 6am.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tony-blackburn-retirement-vow-120754526.html

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