Tony Blackburn's health battles and Radio 2 absence explained as he's handed OBE
Tony Blackburn says being honoured with an OBE is "is the icing on a very lovely cake".
It's been a tough year for the veteran broadcaster thanks to some heartbreaking health battles, with Tony forced to take a leave of absence from his BBC Radio 2 show and cancel other gigs in order to deal with an ongoing health issue.
The radio legend, 80, has been recognised in the New Year Honours list after almost six decades in the "best job" on BBC and commercial radio stations. The I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner, who became a household name as the first DJ on BBC Radio 1 when it launched in 1967, is honoured for his services to broadcasting and charity.
In a statement given to the PA news agency, Blackburn said: "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.
Tony Blackburn was forced to take a break from work earlier this year (Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/REX/Shutterstock)
The BBC Radio 2 DJ spent two months in hospital recovering from a nasty illness (Dave Benett/Getty Images)"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. To be recognised for my work in broadcasting in this way is testament to all those I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, on both the BBC and in commercial radio. It really is the best job and to receive this award is the icing on a very lovely cake."
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In April, Tony announced he would be taking some time away from his radio show and other work commitments due to illness after being advised to rest by his doctor. Writing on Twitter (X) at the time, Tony told his followers: "Hello folks. Just to let you all know, I've had a little recurrence of the chest infection I had a few weeks ago.
"My Dr has told me off for not taking some time to recover properly so I am having a break from the radio this weekend and, sadly, I have had to postpone the Sounds of the 60s shows at Swindon and Redhill next week too. New dates are already in the diary though and I really do hope to be back with you soon."
It later transpired that Tony's recurring chest infection actually turned into sepsis and pneumonia, which left the broadcaster in hospital for two months. Speaking in August, Tony explained how he had only just got better after leaving hospital in May and even had to keep getting injections at home. Sepsis is when your body fights an infection too hard and starts hurting itself, and it can be deadly.
Talking on BBC Scotland over the sumer, Tony shared: "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. 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'. 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."
Tony was able to resume his Sound of the 60s tour after his hospital stay, with the star saying in August: "I haven't been doing the [tour] show for about three months because I was told to rest a little bit. Now I'm back in form and we're selling out. Instead of doing three a week I'm just going to do one a week." He's also made his comeback on Radio 2, taking over from Johnnie Walker who stepped in during his absence.
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