Tony Blackburn to step down from BBC local radio show

Tony Blackburn had decided to end hosting his Sunday Afternoon BBC local Radio show.

His last show, which airs on BBC’s Berkshire, Oxford and Solent, will be on 24 March.

Posting on X this morning, Tony said: “I have been a part of the Berkshire line up since 2012 and have loved doing the show bringing music from the 50’s up to the present day. I have loved the callers and the fun we’ve had.

“At some stage I might come back to BBC Local Radio but, for now, I’m going to focus on my BBC Radio 2 shows, Sounds Of The Sixties and the Golden Hour and my theatre tour which comes back in March.”

Tony also stepped down from his BBC Radio London soul show in December, having been at the station since 1981.

Tony’s local radio Exec Producer John Baish said: “Having Tony as part of the local radio family in the south of England has been a lot of fun over the last twelve years, and he’s introduced us all to some wonderful music along the way.

“Across all the programmes he’s presented in that time, he’s shown us week after week why he’s a master of his craft, and one of the nicest people you could hope to meet.

“We wish him all the best with his stage show and everything else he does and we do hope to work together again in future.”

Hi there, just wanted to let you know that I have decided to end my @BBCLOCALRADIO Sunday afternoon show that goes out on @BBCBerkshire @BBCOxford @BBCRadioSolent and @BBCSounds My last show will be on March 24th. I have been a part of the Berkshire line up since 2012 and… pic.twitter.com/m8uJU8FJk5

— Tony Blackburn OBE. (@tonyblackburn) February 8, 2024