BBC Radio 2 veteran Tony Blackburn has addressed his historic claim that he had “slept with 250 women.”
The 81-year-old stunned fans with the statement, which was made in his 2007 autobiography, and the presenter has now revisited the claim.
His life story, which was written by a ghost writer, made the sensational admission, but Blackburn has since said he made the number up, now calling the move "stupid".
He recalled: “She [the writer]said she hadn’t got enough sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll.
“Well, I don’t do drugs and I made up this number because I was fed up being asked about my personal life.
“Not my best moment, to be honest. I didn’t read my own autobiography. It was stupid.”
Blackburn called his decision to make the claim 'stupid'
ITV
Speaking to Radio Times, he also reflected on his instant stardom after opening Radio 1 in 1967.
“The first audience rating I got for the breakfast show was 21 million – but there was nothing else to listen to, of course.”
He went on to admit: “You could make your name in a couple of weeks, really.”
As he touched on the presenting Top of the Pops and his experience of the 1960s, he added: “We were mobbed everywhere we went. It was a wonderful, wonderful time.”
The radio veteran discussed the claim made in his autobiography
Getty
Blackburn’s lengthy career continues, and the radio star remains one of the nation’s favourite voices to tune into.
However, in February he announced another one of his BBC Radio shows will be coming to an end just months after hitting back at claims he is retiring.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, he 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.
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The 81-year-old reflected on his lengthy career
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“My last show will be on March 24th. I have been a part of the Berkshire lineup since 2012 and have loved doing the show bringing music from the 50’s up to the present day.
“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.