Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn, 80, reveals he is stepping down from his popular BBC Radio London show – but will stay on Radio 2 Saturday slot

Tony Blackburn has announced that he is stepping down from his popular BBC Radio London show after ‘many happy years’.

The radio DJ, 80, took to Twitter on Thursday to share the news that he will be leaving the BBC Radio London show because it is ‘time to move on’.

He confirmed that his last episode on Soul On Sunday will air on Sunday as he prepares to bid farewell to the show in a matter of days.

Tony clarified that he will still be continuing with his BBC Radio 2 programme as well as other BBC shows despite stepping down from BBC Radio London. 

Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – he announced: ‘Hi everyone, just thought I’d let you know that after many happy years on @BBCRadioLondon I have decided to leave the station and this Sunday will be my last Soul On Sunday. 

Tony Blackburn has announced that he is stepping down from his popular BBC Radio London show after ‘many happy years’

He confirmed that his last episode on Soul On Sunday will air on Sunday as he prepares to bid farewell to the show in a matter of days (Tony is pictured on the show in March 2004) 

‘Over the years we have had a lot of fun with some fantastic live shows for Children in Need and have played some great music. 

‘I will still be continuing @BBCBerkshire @BBCOxford and @BBCRadioSolent on Sunday afternoon and off course on the great @BBCRadio2.

‘This is totally my decision and thanks to the many happy years there, but time to move on. Thanks for listening.’

In a follow-up post, the former I’m A Celebrity star thanked his ‘kind’ fans for their messages following his news and teased some other exciting shows he has lined up.

He penned: Thanks very much for all your lovely messages today you really are very kind. I look forward to playing lots of Soul Music for you in the future, in fact coming up on @BBCRadio2.

‘I have two Sounds Of Soul shows on December 26th at 12pm and on New Years Day also at 12pm, so the great music goes on and I hope you will join me.’

Taking to social media, fans were quick to share their devastation that he will be stepping down from his popular show.

One wrote: ‘You will certainly be missed Tony, by me & many many others Wish You All The Best.! x.’

The radio DJ, 80, took to Twitter on Thursday to share the news that he will be leaving his BBC Radio London show as he said it is ‘time to move on’

In a follow-up post, Tony thanked his ‘kind’ fans for their messages following his news and teased some other exciting shows he has lined up

Tony clarified that he will still be continuing with his BBC Radio 2 programme as well as other BBC shows despite stepping down from BBC Radio London

Taking to social media, fans were quick to share their devastation that he will be stepping down from his popular show and sent him their well wishes 

Another said: ‘Goodbye farewell thank you for the laughs the music and you Mr B,’ and a third penned: ‘Good luck Tony.’ 

A fourth commented: ‘I wish you well Tony – you are totally within my music tapestry of my life as listened to you early on back in 1970s none more passionate about music than you sir – massive respect and gratitude to you truly.’

And another gushed: ‘Tony you deserve at least a bit of a break from your busy schedule.

‘Still hard at it after all these years, you have played the sound tracks to so many lives in those years. Long May it continue, you are an inspiration.’

Earlier this year, Tony temporarily pulled out of his popular Sound of the 60s Tour and Radio 2 show earlier this year after he was taken ill.

At the time, he said he had a chest infection but in August, he confirmed he had life-threatening conditions sepsis, pneumonia and blood poisoning.

He said he had only just fully recovered over the summer after he was discharged from the Wellington Hospital in London in May and continued to have daily injections afterwards. 

‘I was doing three a week at one time forgetting that I’m now a little bit older, so I ended up in hospital for two months with sepsis and pneumonia and blood poisoning,’ he said on BBC Radio Scotland.

‘And I didn’t realise how unwell I was until one day in the hospital my whole family were gathered around the bed. And I thought “this isn’t good”.

Earlier this year, Tony temporarily pulled out of his popular Sound of the 60s Tour and Radio 2 show earlier this year after he was taken ill with sepsis, pneumonia and blood poisoning

‘A couple of weeks ago I went to see my specialist and he said ‘you are cured’, so that was a nice thing to hear.’

After a three-month break, Tony returned to his tour but only went ahead with one show each week, rather than the three per week he had previously planned. 

Tony is the latest star to step down from a BBC Radio show, after Clara Amfo quit her presenting job on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds earlier this week.

The DJ, 39, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 with Aljaz Skorjanec, issued a statement on Tuesday and shared a post of her in the recording studio on Instagram.

She penned: ‘With immense gratitude and thought given, I have made the choice to say goodbye to Future Sounds on @bbcradio1.⁣

‘I’ll save the long paragraphs (cos you know I love ’em!) for my final show but for now, I will say I’m so proud of the work I’ve been able to do on every type show over the years from the 8th floor, up and down UK and random pop stars houses! 

‘I’m grateful to have had the ears of the listeners who have consistently shown up for me.⁣

Tony is the latest star to step down from a BBC Radio show, after Clara Amfo quit her presenting job on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds earlier this week 

The DJ, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 with Aljaz Skorjanec, issued a statement on Tuesday and shared a post of her in the recording studio on Instagram

‘I’m enamoured by every production team I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for each and every broadcast.⁣ 

‘I’m so honoured by the incredible artists and their hardworking teams who have chosen the show to share their work and intimate thoughts, constantly providing one of the most precious things we all need to keep going in this wild world’.

She concluded: ‘I’m energised and excited for my next chapter as part of the network and beyond!⁣ ⁣See you at 6pm Clara x’.⁣

Clara, thought to earn around £150k per year, was flooded by comments from her fans and famous friends, with fellow Radio 1 star Greg James writing: ‘Love yeeeeeeeeeew ❤️’ and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball gushing: ‘oh clara new adventures ahead. huge love to you goddess x’

Strictly’s Angela Scanlon penned: ‘Yes babs!! Up up and away xx’ while Loose Women’s Judi Love added: ‘The world is ready for your next move!!’

Stacey Dooley commented a series of clapping hands emjois, while Claudia Winkleman posted a string of hearts. 

Jack Saunders – who presents the station’s Future Artists and The Official Chart shows – will be taking on Clara’s role from April 15. 

Clara was flooded by comments from her fans and famous friends, with fellow Radio 1 star Greg James writing: ‘Love yeeeeeeeeeew ❤️’

Jack Saunders – who presents the station’s Future Artists and The Official Chart shows – will be taking on Clara’s role from April 15

He took to his own Instagram to announce the news, writing an earnest caption that said he had been inspired by Radio 1 DJs as a child and had dreamed of presenting Future Sounds

He took to his own Instagram to announce the news, and shared a slew of throwback snaps of himself as a teenager starting in radio.

Alongside he wrote an earnest caption, writing that he had been inspired by Radio 1 DJs as a child and had long held a dream to present Future Sounds.

Jack wrote: ‘The show (and it’s previous entities) is the premier taste making music show. It has influenced the music taste of generations and I am so BLOODY EXCITED THAT I BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AT A RESTAURANT YESTERDAY WHEN I FOUND OUT that I will get to be the new host of Future Sounds from 15th April 2024.

‘You and me and the best new music on the planet, I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend my weekday evenings. We did it’.

Clara previously explained how she had wanted to be on the radio since she was a child, telling Metro in 2021: ‘I have really distinct memories of being in my room alone as a kid and just listening to the radio for hours, pretending to be the presenter.

‘I would either repeat their words or remix, thinking my 10-year-old self could do better.’ 

She started out as a general office assistant at Kiss FM before becoming a presenter there and joined BBC Radio 1Xtra as host of the weekend breakfast show in September 2013.

She joined Radio 1 in 2015, taking over from Fearne Cotton to host the Live Lounge and interviewed Jay-Z, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar and Ariana Grande in that time.

Clara then took on Annie Mac’s Future Sounds show on Radio 1 from July 2021 until her exit this week.

Outside of radio she has appeared on Strictly, Celebrity Gogglebox, The Weakest Link and RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World (pictured last week)

Outside of radio she has appeared on Strictly, Celebrity Gogglebox, The Weakest Link and RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World.

Clara’s surprise exit is the latest in a mass exodus of radio presenters from the BBC recently.

Earlier this month, Claudia Winkleman announced she will be quitting her Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over. 

The presenter, 51, shared the news with her listeners during her show admitting she wishes to spend more time with her children.

She shares Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and Arthur, 11, with her film producer partner, Kris Thykier, 50, who she married in 2000.

Claudia’s final show will broadcast in March, after which she will be replaced by Romesh from April. 

The media personality explained how it had been an ‘absolute privilege’ to host the show as she thanked her listeners. 

She began: ‘I would love to share mind, firstly, I’m going to say it out loud and with vim, I love Radio 2.’

Clara’s surprise exit is the latest in a mass exodus of radio presenters from the BBC recently. Earlier this month, Claudia Winkleman announced she will be quitting her Radio 2 show after 15 years on air (pictured in 2017)

The presenter, 51, admitted she wishes to spend more time with her children. Her final show will broadcast in March, after which she will be replaced by Romesh Ranganathan (R) from April

‘It is an absolute privilege to be here every Saturday, chatting to amazing guests, being with Sally and mainly read your fantastic messages. 

‘But here’s the thing and it is such a boring cliché so I apologise. Time is going too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was 3 about 5 minutes ago. 

‘I still have a little one who wants to be with me. I don’t know how long that will last and I just need to be at home more. 

‘So my news at 10 is that I am leaving – but I have two pieces of exceptional news. One – the person taking over is one of the funniest and smartest people on earth. 

‘We are going to love listening to him every Saturday at 10. Think of this if you will as an early Christmas present. 

‘The one and only Romesh Ranganathan is going to be here from April and he is majestic. 

‘Number two, the second piece of good news, is before I leave in March the bosses have said I can play, and I’m unapologetic about this, an obscene amount of this.’

She went on to play Oasis’ hit track You Gotta Roll With it. 

Just two days after Claudia’s exit, beloved BBC radio presenter Andrew Peach also hung up his headphones after 31 years working at the corporation 

The star hosted BBC Radio Berkshire’s breakfast show, which he branded The Peach Show, for 18 years having previously worked elsewhere at the Beeb 

In his Twitter announcement, Andrew shared a series of images, including shots showing his first BBC headshot and a meeting with the Queen

Claudia joined BBC Radio 2 in 2008 to host comedy quiz series Hot Gossip before moving to Friday nights to host the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show. 

In 2016, she began presenting Claudia On Sunday and moved to her Saturday morning slot in February 2021, replacing Irish broadcaster Graham Norton who moved to present a show on Virgin Radio.

The same week of Claudia’s exit, beloved BBC radio presenter Andrew Peach also hung up his headphones after 31 years working at the corporation.

The star hosted BBC Radio Berkshire’s breakfast show, which he branded The Peach Show, for 18 years having previously worked elsewhere at the Beeb.

He worked on a number of high profile stories, including the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and also interviewed Prime Minister Teresa May. 

Reflecting on his career, Andrew said: ‘I’ve broadcast from Washington, Prague and Dusseldorf – and I’ve endured the ups and downs of being a Reading FC fan through countless play-off final defeats and our promotion to the Premier League in 2006…

‘This job has been the greatest privilege. Daily radio shows like this are, above all, a relationship. A warm and authentic relationship with the audience…

‘We’ve chosen to spend time together day after day, month after month, year after year. That relationship is so precious and I know I will miss it desperately…

Last month, Carol Vorderman was axed by BBC Radio Wales for breaching the broadcaster’s new social media guidelines 

The former Countdown star, 62, who has been at the station for five years, said she was ‘not prepared to stop’ venting her ‘strong beliefs’ on Twitter and Instagram 

‘The programme has brought people together, applied a bit of pressure here and there and meant that, from time to time, we’ve changed things for the better…

‘Although it’s time for me to find some new mountains to climb, I am so grateful to have enjoyed more than 30 years in my dream job.’

Last month, Carol Vorderman was axed by BBC Radio Wales for breaching the broadcaster’s new social media guidelines.

The former Countdown star, 62, who has been at the station for five years, said she was ‘not prepared to stop’ venting her ‘strong beliefs’ on Twitter and Instagram. 

Carol shared a statement confirming she had left the station, saying she was not willing to give up voicing her opinions on the UK government online.

She said: ‘The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines, which I respect. 

‘However, despite my show being light-hearted with no political content, it was explained to me that, as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines would apply to all and any content that I post all year round.

‘Since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I’ve ultimately found that I’m not prepared to lose my voice on social media, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil this country finds itself in.

Carol had been accused of ‘flagrantly breaching’ the BBC ‘s impartiality rules with her anti-Tory outbursts, which have included calling ministers ‘a lying bunch of greedy, corrupt, destructive, hateful, divisive, gaslighting crooks’ 

The BBC brought in new social media rules for its presenters preventing high-profile stars from attacking political parties and individual politicians as well as weighing into controversial issues before elections or referendums

‘My decision has been to continue to criticise the current UK Government for what it has done to the country which I love – and I’m not prepared to stop. 

‘I was brought up to fight for what I believe in, and I will carry on. Consequently I have now breached the new guidelines and BBC Wales management have decided I must leave. We each must make our decisions.

‘I’m sad to have to leave the wonderful friends I’ve made at Radio Wales. I wish them, and all of our listeners, all the love in the world. We laughed a lot, and we will miss each other dearly. But, for now, another interesting chapter begins.’ 

The BBC said: ‘Carol has been a presenter on BBC Radio Wales since 2018. We’d like to thank her for her work and contribution to the station over the past five years.’ 

In addition to her weekly show on BBC Radio Wales, Carol also hosted topical news quiz show Have I Got News For You on BBC1 in May this year.

Carol had been accused of ‘flagrantly breaching’ the BBC’s impartiality rules with her anti-Tory outbursts, which have included calling ministers ‘a lying bunch of greedy, corrupt, destructive, hateful, divisive, gaslighting crooks’.

The BBC brought in new social media rules for its presenters following outrage earlier this year over Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker’s tweet which comparing the Government’s Rwanda policy to Nazi Germany. 

These prevent high-profile stars from attacking political parties and individual politicians as well as weighing into controversial issues before elections or referendums. The rules apply when their show is on air and in a two-week window before and after. 

Earlier this year, Ken Bruce also jumped ship from the BBC after 45 years for commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio, declaring: ‘I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2’

In September Ken revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become ‘bitter and entrenched 

His slot was then taken over by Vernon Kay, but lost 1.4 million listeners in its first three months without Ken. 

Earlier this year, Ken Bruce also jumped ship from the BBC after 45 years for commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio, declaring: ‘I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2’.

At the time the Scottish broadcaster, 72, said ‘the time is right’ for him to move on from the weekday mid-morning show he’s presented since 1986 – with just a two year gap between 1990 and 1992 – having first walked into the corporation in 1977.

In January, he informed his 9million listeners he was leaving, but insisted he is not retiring, but heading into commercial radio and taking his much-loved PopMaster quiz with him. 

But in September Ken revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become ‘bitter and entrenched’, saying: ‘It was a long time and I thought I’m doing the same thing every day.

‘There was a point of saying that I can’t enthuse over all the new music I’m having to play as much as I could over the old music. And I didn’t want to get to the stage where I was badmouthing some of the music [or] pretending to like it.’

The father of six elaborated: ‘I certainly did think I’ve got a bit more to offer. I didn’t want to be declining over the next three or four years and still doing the same show, but everybody around me getting younger and thinking, ‘Am I the old bloke in the corner here?’

‘I was the youngster on the station and then almost overnight I became the veteran, and I didn’t want to become the old grump in the corner saying ‘things aren’t what they used to be’, or [to] any new idea say, ‘No, we tried that, didn’t work’, which does happen. I just felt I would get more bitter and entrenched.’

Ken then claimed BBC bosses terminated his contract early, stating he intended to work right up until the end of March, but his final show aired March 3.

BBC Radio fans have repeatedly accused the network of ageism as the late Paul O’Grady, Steve Wright, 69, (pictured) Graham Norton, 60, and Simon Mayo, 65, all left and were replaced with a younger line-up in the last couple of years

Vanessa Feltz, 61, and Craig Charles, 59, have also moved on, with Vanessa saying her exit in August 2022 was because she was a woman over the age of 60 

He said on Twitter: ‘I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead.’

In response, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and it’s always been known he’s leaving in March. 

‘Returning to Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions at Maida Vale provided a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future.’ 

His slot was then taken over by Vernon Kay, but lost 1.4 million listeners in its first three months without Ken.

BBC Radio fans have repeatedly accused the network of ageism as the late Paul O’Grady, Steve Wright, 69, Graham Norton, 60, and Simon Mayo, 65, all left and were replaced with a younger line-up in the last couple of years.

The month before his tragic death, Paul admitted: ‘Radio 2 has changed, it’s not what it was. They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1.’

Vanessa Feltz, 61, and Craig Charles, 59, have also moved on, with Vanessa saying her exit in August 2022 was because she was a woman over the age of 60 and claiming older presenters are ‘not valued in the same way’.

THE BBC RADIO 2 PRESENTERS TO HANG UP THEIR HEADPHONES

Graham Norton – December 2020

Graham Norton seemingly kicked off the mass departure of BBC radio stars when he quit his Saturday morning slot.

The presenter began hosting his Radio 2 show in 2010, after Jonathan Ross left, but after a decade he left.

In a statement at the time, Graham said: ‘Obviously I’m sad to be stepping away from my Radio 2 show.

‘I’ll miss being a part of the Wogan House family, as well as the listeners and their lives. 

‘I’d like to thank my producer Malcolm Prince and all the teams I’ve worked with for a great decade of radio.

‘Happily with the chat show, Eurovision and Drag Race the BBC continues to be my perfect TV home.’

The chat show host then joined Virgin Radio UK in 2021 to host shows on Saturday and Sunday.

Paul O’Grady – August 2022

Paul O’Grady hosted a Sunday show for 14 years on BBC Radio 2, but quit in August of last year.

The host was unhappy about being asked to share duties with Rob Beckett, 37, which saw the comedian taking over for two three-month stints each year.

He told fans: ‘And the reason I’m leaving because everybody’s asked me this. It’s because I wasn’t really happy with the 13 weeks on/13 weeks off business.

‘So, I did the honourable thing and I honoured my contract, gave my notice and now I’m off.’

Speaking to Metro in February, he admitted: ‘I was disappointed because I’m a great believer in continuity.

‘If you go off for 13 weeks and somebody else comes on, the listeners don’t know when you’re back on.’

He also questioned Radio 2’s desire to appeal to younger audiences, saying: ‘Radio 2 has changed, it’s not what it was. 

‘They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1. Radio 2 was always for an older audience’.

Paul went on to join Boom Radio for a Christmas Day special and had been due to join the station permanently in May – however he tragically died in March at the age of 67.

Steve Wright – September 2022

Steve Wright presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2 for 23 years, before the show came to an end last year.

While he remained on the network, hosting Sunday Love Songs, along with a new Serious Jockin’ podcast, his afternoon show was replaced by a new show with Scott Mills.

Radio 2 fans deplored the decision with the BBC saying it was seeking to ‘try something different’.

As he exited Wogan House in July, Steve told reporters it was ‘nice of you to come over’, adding: ‘That’s the way it goes… You know, sometimes people want you, sometimes they don’t.

‘Sometimes they want to make changes, give you another offer, and that’s okay, I understand that, I really understand that.’

Craig Charles – June 2022

Craig Charles presented his show Craig Charles’ House Party on Saturdays from 10pm to midnight since 2014.

But his Radio 2 show was axed last summer, sparking uproar from fans.

Craig said in the announcement from the BBC: ‘Every party must come to an end and although I’m packing up my Trunk of Funk on Radio 2, I’ve loved bringing the party to its funky listeners each Saturday night.’ 

He continued with his how on BBC Radio 6 Music each weekday (1-4pm) and on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show (Saturday nights, 6-9pm). 

Vanessa Feltz – July 2022 

Vanessa Feltz quit BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio London after nearly 20 years on air in July last year.

Breaking down on her early morning breakfast show as she announced the news to her listeners, the star, 61, said she would ‘try not to cry’. 

She said: ‘I have something to tell you, and I know you already know that I love you – oh I knew I was going to cry but I’m going to try not too…’

‘It has been an honour to share the early hours with you.’

However, Vanessa later claimed her exit was because she was a woman over the age of 60.

Speaking about Ken Bruce’s departure in January on This Morning, she said: ”I can’t speak for him but I imagine that it’s a feeling of some sense of ageism at the BBC.’

She claimed that older presenters are ‘not valued in the same way’, adding: ‘The music isn’t as appealing ’cause they’ve changed it to appeal to a younger crowd they’re so desperate to get.’

Ken Bruce – March 2023

Ken Bruce also jumped ship from the BBC after 45 years for commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio, declaring: ‘I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2’.

At the time the Scottish broadcaster, 72, said ‘the time is right’ for him to move on from the weekday mid-morning show he’s presented since 1986 – with just a two year gap between 1990 and 1992 – having first walked into the corporation in 1977.

In January, he informed his 9 million listeners he was leaving, but insisted he is not retiring, but heading into commercial radio and taking his much-loved PopMaster quiz with him. 

But in September Ken revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become ‘bitter and entrenched’, saying: ‘It was a long time and I thought I’m doing the same thing every day.’

His slot was then taken over by Vernon Kay, but lost 1.4 million listeners in its first three months without Ken. 

Claudia Winkleman – March 2024

This month, Claudia Winkleman announced she will be quitting her Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over. 

The presenter, 51, shared the news with her listeners during her show admitting she wishes to spend more time with her children.

She shares Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and Arthur, 11, with her film producer partner, Kris Thykier, 50, who she married in 2000.

Claudia joined BBC Radio 2 in 2008 to host comedy quiz series Hot Gossip before moving to Friday nights to host the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show. 

In 2016, she began presenting Claudia On Sunday and moved to her Saturday morning slot in February 2021, replacing Graham Norton.

Claudia’s final show will broadcast in March, after which she will be replaced by Romesh from April. 

The media personality explained how it had been an ‘absolute privilege’ to host the show as she thanked her listeners. 

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