Tony Blackburn has been welcomed back to BBC radio by none other than Sir Roger Moore.
The DJ’s celebrity listener tweeted his support during the BBC Radio 2 show opening, which marked Tony’s first programme since February when the broadcaster sacked him over evidence he gave to the Jimmy Savile inquiry.
Former James Bond actor Sir Roger was excited to hear that Tony had got his job back, and Tony was equally thrilled by the message, calling it “fantastic”.
He's back! https://t.co/SpdbGd6Tqe
— Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) December 31, 2016
Tony opened the show by playing Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and saying: “It’s New Year’s Eve, it’s BBC Radio 2 and what do you know? Good lord, I’m back.”
He also told listeners: “One or two people are saying where have you been for the last eight months? Well, I went for a long walk and got lost. Somebody found me yesterday.”
Tony’s return to the corporation was announced in October, with the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! winner saying he “can’t wait” to get started.
The DJ had threatened to sue the BBC and claimed he had been made a “scapegoat” after being taken off air in February.
Later, announcing his comeback, he said: “I have had a difficult year personally, but I’m pleased to be returning to the BBC and can’t wait to get behind the mic again.”
The BBC said it stood by its decision to take Tony off the air but added that he would be returning.
Tony has strenuously denied suggestions that he “seduced” Claire McAlpine – who later took her own life – after inviting her back to his flat following a recording of Top Of The Pops in the 1970s.
The DJ denied in evidence that he had ever been made aware by the BBC of the complaint against him, even though the corporation told the Dame Janet Smith inquiry he had been.
