DJ Tony Blackburn sacked by BBC in advance of Savile findings
Former Radio 1 DJ Tony Blackburn, who rose to fame as the voice of several ‘pirate’ radio stations in the 1960’s, has been sacked by the BBC ahead of publication of a report into the activities of Jimmy Savile.
Vowing to clear his name of any ‘inappropriate conduct’, Blackburn has come out fighting against the move, pledging to take legal action against the BBC for ‘destroying my career and reputation’.
A long-awaited review chaired by retired judge Dame Janet Smith is expected to report a damning ‘culture of deference’ at the BBC when it is published in a fortnight’s time, with Blackburn himself believed to be implicated over claims he ‘seduced’ a 15 year old Top of the Pops dancer who later committed suicide.
Blackburn strenuously denies the claims, insisting that ‘my version of events does not tally with theirs’ but the BBC hasn’t commented publicly on the matter.
— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) February 24, 2016
Most recently Blackburn served as host on several BBC Radio London Shows and is a presenter of Radio 2 vintage chart Pick of the Pops.