ALL CHANGE
Huge BBC star steps down from popular show more than 40 years after it started
They opened up about their serious medical battles earlier this year
A TOP BBC presenter has quit his fan-favourite role - leaving listeners devastated.
The star's final shows will air this weekend with the broadcasting stalwart - who has presented on the station since 1981 - announcing on X that he is quitting with immediate effect.
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Tony Blackburn, 80, has revealed he will be leaving his BBC Radio London programme ahead of the Christmas break.
Yet he will be retaining his BBC Radio 2 show, in news sure to soften the blow for fans.
Tony, who first found fame broadcasting on the pirate station Radio Caroline before joining the BBC, wrote a lengthy message on his page.
He wrote: "Hi everyone, just thought I’d let you know that after many happy years on @BBCRadioLondon I have decided to leave the station and this Sunday will be my last Soul On Sunday.
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"Over the years we have had a lot of fun with some fantastic live shows for Children in Need and have played some great music.
"I will still be continuing @BBCBerkshire @BBCOxford and @BBCRadioSolent on Sunday afternoon and of course on the great
@BBCRadio2.
"This is totally my decision and thanks to the many happy years there, but time to move on. Thanks for listening."
I'm A Celeb champ Tony was the first DJ to broadcast on BBC Radio 1 at its launch at the end of September 1967.
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Fans were quick to react to his online statement, with one writing: "You will certainly be missed Tony, by me & many many others. Wish You All The Best! x."
Another put: "Blimey! You’re a national treasure so don’t bury yourself too deep," as a third wrote: "Goodbye farewell thank you for the laughs the music and you Mr B."
One then added: "So sorry Tony, but glad we'll still be able to still hear you elsewhere. You're a great person and advocate for animals! All the best."
Another added: "Tony you deserve at least a bit of a break from your busy schedule. Still hard at it after all these years, you have played the sound tracks to so many lives in those years.
"Long may it continue, you are an inspiration."
Meanwhile, Tony is slimming down his work schedule after he revealed his sepsis battle back in April.
He also gave a major health update a few weeks later, after missing a slew of his Radio 2 shows.
In April, Tony was forced to pull out of the programme on doctors' orders
Concern was first sparked among Radio 2 listeners in March when he was absent from his popular programme.
At the time, former I'm A Celeb winner Tony explained that he was adhering to medical advice to rest after picking up a chest infection.
Previously, Tony revealed he will need more outpatient care to treat the aftermath of his illness.
The stalwart of the radio industry has previously hit out at TV stars being given radio shows off the back of their fame.
He said: “Very few people are good on television and radio, I always preferred radio.
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"Noel Edmonds was good on both but he preferred television because he realised there was more money.
“Nowadays, it’s reversed a bit. Quite often now you’ve got television people, who don’t really know what they’re doing on the radio, it’s a shame."
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