Legend of the airwaves still rocking at 82

VETERAN broadcaster Tony Blackburn is looking forward to launching a new radio show on New Year's Day — admitting he is “amazed” at still being offered so much work as he approaches his 83rd birthday.

- BY JULIA KUTTNER

As well as continuing to host Sounds of the 60s and The Golden Hour on BBC Radio Two, he will also take the helm of Sounds of Soul on the same station.

After starting the end of year celebrations with his Sounds of the 60s from 2-4pm on New Year's Eve he will launch the new show from 1am-2am on New Year's Day, followed by a one-off three-hour special from 4am-7am.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Express he said: “I was amazed when, six years ago, I was asked to do the theatre shows. I thought, 'god, this is great.' And here I am now, doing three radio shows a week and continuing the theatre tour. I don’t know why I’m still doing it, but I love it.”

Tony, whose six-decade career includes being Radio One’s first DJ for its launch on September 30, 1967, has no plans to hang up his headphones.

He says: “I can’t bear the thought of retiring. If you've got a job that you love,

'I can't bear the thought of retiring'