‘The infection is requiring more treatment than initially thought’: Tony Blackburn, 80, pulls out of BBC radio show and gigs again after falling ill
Tony Blackburn has been forced to take more time out from work as he recovers from a nasty chest infection.
The DJ, 80, gave fans a health update on Friday, telling his Twitter followers he would be needing more treatment before he is back to his usual self.
He announced he would be standing down from his BBC Radio 2 show until he is better and postponing his live Sounds of the 60s gigs.
He explained: ‘I wanted to give a little update on my health and let you know that I won’t be on the radio or in theatres for a little while yet.
‘The infection I have is requiring more treatment than initially thought and it means I am having to reschedule the Sounds of the 60s Tour for the moment in order to recover fully.
Resting up: Tony Blackburn, 80, has been forced to take more time out from work as he recovers from a nasty chest infection (pictured last year)
On the road to recovery: The DJ gave fans a health update on Friday, telling his Twitter followers he would be needing more treatment before he is back to his usual self (pictured in January)
‘All tickets booked will be automatically transferred to the new dates and you will be notified of this change by your ticket provider. I am sorry for the disruption and I really am looking forward to getting back on the road with the band.
‘I hope to be back on the radio as soon as possible but it might be a few weeks before I am able to get back in the studio.
‘As you know, I am passionate about my radio shows and I will be back as quickly as I safely can.
‘I want to thank all of the listeners who have sent their well-wishes and messages of support. I do read them all and it really means a lot.
Tony added: ‘Finally, to all the nurses, Dr’s and support staff at Barnet General hospital who I spent a few days with over the last week, thank you for looking after me. You are brilliant!’
Tony was forced to pull out of his BBC Radio 2 show again last week and postpone gigs on doctors orders amid an ongoing health issue.
He was replaced by stand-in Johnnie Walker on his Saturday show, Sounds Of The Sixties, for the second time.
He later shared an update on Twitter, to inform his fans that he needed ‘some time off to recover’ from a nasty chest infection.
On hold: He announced he would be standing down from his BBC Radio 2 show until he is better and postponing his live Sounds of the 60s gigs
Tony explained that he would be off air for the next few weeks and would have to reschedule his live shows that were set to take place in Swindon and Redhill.
The broadcaster explained: ‘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.
‘Just want to thank you all for your kind words, I am listening to the doctors and this time I will recover properly, which I didn’t do before.
‘To those of you who have booked to see the show next week I’m so sorry but we are arranging new dates and your tickets will be OK xx.’
Johnnie, 78, took over last Saturday, announcing: ‘It’s my pleasure to be with you the next couple of hours, so let’s start the normal way.’
Last month, Tony sparked concern among fans when he was absent from his BBC Radio 2 show again.
The presenter, who hosts Sounds of the 60s between 6am and 8am on Saturdays, confirmed he was ill at home in a post he shared on Friday evening.
Taking to Twitter, Tony wrote: ‘Sorry to say I won’t be doing my shows over the weekend as I have a very annoying virus which is taking its time to go away.
‘Tomorrow on Sounds Of The Sixties you will hear my special ‘Happy Birthday show’ and on Sunday there will be a recorded Golden Hour. Have a great evening.’
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