Blackburn is given new Saturday job at Radio 2 a year after his sacking
TONY Blackburn is to make his return to Saturdays on Radio 2, replacing axed DJ Brian Matthew on Sounds Of The 60s. But fans of the show may not be too thrilled with its timing – the BBC is moving the programme two hours earlier, so it will now start at 6am.
Even so, Blackburn’s return is a triumphant moment for the 74year-old DJ, who was sacked by the BBC last year as it published its inquiry into the Jimmy Savile scandal.
It said his testimony of events in the 1970s ‘fell short’ of the standards required.
Blackburn – who used to present Pick Of The Pops on Radio 2 every Saturday – denied being questioned by bosses in 1971 after a 15-year-old dancer, Claire McAlpine, claimed that he molested her.
He later said he was being made a ‘scapegoat’ for the BBC’s ‘whitewash’ of abuse on its premises, and denied any wrongdoing.
Yesterday he said: ‘I started my radio career in 1964 and have amazing memories of playing so many of the great hits first time around.
‘To take over this show, 50 years after joining the BBC, is a real privilege and I can’t wait to get started.’
Blackburn was first allowed back on the airwaves at Radio 2 last month, with a one-hour show at 7pm on Fridays.
He will begin hosting Sounds Of The 60s from March 4, but some fans have speculated that the show’s earlier time slot is a sign that it will soon be axed.
But a BBC spokesman said: ‘Sounds Of The 60s remains a key part of the Radio 2 schedule and there are absolutely no plans to get rid of one of the network’s bestloved weekend shows.’
Crucially for the BBC, Blackburn is one of few people who could replace Brian Matthew without sparking another backlash.
Matthew, 88, was axed against his will while he was at home recovering from a fall.
Furious listeners threatened to boycott Radio 2 over the row, and more than 9,000 people signed a petition to reinstate the DJ, who said he was ‘ready and willing and able’ to go back to work.
Scores of fans also contacted the Daily Mail in outrage, lamenting the loss of his ‘mellow, unmistakable’ voice, and the way he discussed sixties music as if ‘from memory’.
The BBC said it was a mutual agreement but Matthew said that was ‘absolute balderdash’.
He will say goodbye to his listeners in a special edition of Sound of the Sixties around Easter.
Blackburn said: ‘It is an absolute honour to be following in Brian’s footsteps; he is a broadcasting legend.’