BBC radio legend Tony Blackburn signs off final show after 43 years

The veteran broadcaster struggled to keep it together.

The 81-year-old radio jock was holding back tears as he delivered his last ever link on local radio on Monday.

Blackburn has been a permanent member of the BBC Berkshire, Oxford and Solent for several years, but is now hanging up his headphones to concentrate on other projects.

During the outro of his last ever record spin - Lou Rawls' You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - the Dorset native said: "You'll never find another laugh like mine. 43 years on BBC local radio and that’s it as far as I’m concerned.

"Thank you so much. I want to thank you very much indeed for listening to me over the years. It’s been a pleasure being here and I look forward to being with you in other places.

"Once again thanks very much indeed for all the memories and all the lovely music, I hope you’ve enjoyed the music I’ve brought you on Sunday afternoons.

"From me Tony Blackburn to BBC Local Radio, bye bye."

Blackburn became the first DJ on BBC Radio 1 when it launched in 1967 and went on to present a series of high-profile radio and TV shows, including Top Of The Pops.

He also won the first series of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! in 2002.

Not content with being a popular DJ, Tony also had a moderately successful career as a recording artist. He even made the lower reaches of the UK charts twice ("So
Much Love" #31 in 1967 and "It's Only Love" #42 in 1969) and three albums of songs were released in the late 60s/early 70s.

Earlier this month, Blackburn was made an OBE in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The father-of-two was honoured for his services to broadcasting and to charity after being named in the king’s New Year Honours list late last year.

He said when his OBE was announced: "Receiving this honour is truly unexpected and very humbling. When I first replied to a New Musical Express advert looking for DJs, back in 1964, I never imagined that nearly 60 years later I would still be doing something I love so much.

"To still be in a radio studio a few times a week, being welcomed in to so many listeners’ homes, sharing mine and their memories, and playing the music I love is simply wonderful. It really is the best job and to receive this award is the icing on a very lovely cake."

When he made the announcement of his resignation from local radio last month, the celebrity DJ told fans that he's about to embark on a theatre tour of the country.

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