Tony Blackburn has announced another one of his BBC Radio shows will be coming to an end just months after hitting back at claims he is retiring.
In December last year, the 81-year-old radio icon revealed he’d be leaving BBC Radio London, which he’d starred on since 1981.
He made clear at the time he had no plans to retire despite the BBC seeing plenty of permanent exits lately, such as Helen Skelton bidding farewell to Radio 5.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, Blackburn shared the news that his remaining shows on BBC Local Radio would also be coming to an end.
He penned in view of his 118,000 followers: “Hi there, just wanted to let you know that I have decided to end my @BBCLOCALRADIO Sunday afternoon show that goes out on @BBCBerkshire @BBCOxford @BBCRadioSolent and @BBCSounds.
“My last show will be on March 24th. I have been a part of the Berkshire line up since 2012 and have loved doing the show bringing music from the 50’s up to the present day.
Tony Blackburn has made clear in the past he has no plans to retire
Getty
“I have loved the callers and the fun we’ve had. At some stage I might come back to BBC Local Radio but, for now, I’m going to focus on my @BBCRadio2 shows, Sounds Of The Sixties and the Golden Hour and my theatre tour which comes back in March.”
Blackburn had fronted BBC Radio London’s Soul on Sunday show and at the time of his announcement to say goodbye to it late last year, he emphasised listeners could still catch him on his local shows and BBC Radio 2.
Reiterating that it had been “totally my decision” he went on to announce at the time he was “certainly not going to be cutting back”.
Tony will now be stepping down from his local BBC Radio shows
Getty
After he received a comment from one well-wisher bidding him a happy retirement, the popular media personality quickly corrected them.
“No I’m not retiring and never will,” he responded before going on to add: “I’m not ever going to think of retiring."
Taking to the comments section on his latest career update, fans on Blackburn all encouraged him to put his health first, while some criticised his treatment by the broadcaster.
One shared: “Good move I think, Tony. Take it easy, ok! You're amazing – I get tired just by *thinking* of everything you do in a week... AND you manage to squeeze in visits to the lovely Devon as well! I used to live there, so I know it's special. Keep swinging!”
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Another agreed: “Sounds like a sensible move. Putting all that effort in and they keep messing you about with the schedule…
"No doubt a Z list comedian will be dredged up as a substitute on those stations (as they seem to be doing on R2 these days).”
A third replied: “Sorry to hear this I enjoy listening in from the Cambridgeshire area via Sounds app, this show is & always has been a great source of music genres and people dialling in (the jokes not so much), but you need to do what is best for you, the tour and your continued good health.”
Tony Blackburn will remain on BBC Radio 2
ITV
“Good luck, Tony. You need to do what's right for you,” another emphasised, while a fifth added: “Sorry to read that. Still rocking on Radio 2.”
Another wrote: “Sure you will be missed on all these stations.” (sic)