Tony Blackburn raises concern among fans as he is absent from his BBC Radio 2 show after falling ill
Tony Blackburn raised concerns among fans on Saturday as he was absent from his BBC Radio 2 show.
The 80-year-old host, who hosts Sounds of the 60s between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturdays, confirmed he was home sick in a post he shared on Friday night.
On Twitter, Tony wrote: “Sorry to say I won’t be doing my shows over the weekend because I have a very annoying virus that is taking a long time to clear up.”
‘Tomorrow on Sounds Of The Sixties you will hear my ‘Happy Birthday’ special and on Sunday there will be a recorded golden hour. Have a nice evening.’
Tony was inundated with messages from fans wishing him well, with one writing: “Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Tony.”
Health: Tony Blackburn raised concerns among fans on Saturday because he was absent from his BBC Radio 2 show (pictured in January 2023)
Missing: The host, 80, who hosts Sounds of the 60s between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturdays, confirmed he was home sick in a post he shared Friday night
Another added: “Sorry to hear you’re not well Tony, I hope you’re on the mend and back on the air soon.”
A third wrote: “Oh so sorry to hear I love your Saturday morning show. Take good care of yourself and hope to hear from you again soon.”
Tony previously criticized the BBC for its “bizarre” decision to move his show from Radio 2.
The 79-year-old DJ appeared to blame the decision on ageism, saying in a social media post that “there’s a lot of that.”
The station learned earlier this month that, starting in mid-July, its Golden Hour show would be moved from 7:00 p.m. on Fridays to the same time on Sundays.
Tony blasted the ‘crazy’ decision on Twitter, with fans of the show flocking to support the former Radio 1 DJ. One commented that the BBC was “making a lot of mistakes” by changing programming.
The Golden Hour move was part of broader changes to Radio 2’s lineup that sees Craig Charles’ Saturday house party scrapped.
One fan wrote online: ‘It’s the official start of the weekend, we’ll be listening on Tony. Making the most of Friday nights while we can!
Tony wrote: “Sorry to say I won’t be doing my shows over the weekend because I have a very annoying virus that is taking a long time to clear up.”
Reaction: Tony was inundated with messages from fans wishing him well, with one writing: “Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Tony.”
Another added: “Enjoying the music tonight… I’ll miss the golden hour right now.”
In response, Blackburn promised fans that he would “make Sundays more fun” and agreed that it was a “shame” that the show was losing its Friday slot “where it belongs”.
Earlier in the day, he asked his followers ‘doesn’t anyone value the experience anymore?’ after learning that some employers were not considering those 55 and older for jobs.
‘Listen to the radio and the discussion involved people over the age of 55 who were not considered by employers for a job. Does no one value the experience anymore?, she wrote.
“I hate ageism and there’s a lot of it.”