Veteran radio DJ Tony Blackburn receives OBE and vows to keep working

DJ Tony Blackburn has received his OBE medal in recognition of his long broadcasting career and charity work.

The radio legend was honoured by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle.

The 81-year-old still works on BBC Radio Two and said he had no plans to retire and wanted to keep going for as long as Sir Cliff Richard.

But he will present his final BBC local radio show, covering BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio Solent, on Sunday.

Blackburn was named in the King's New Year Honours list last year and will celebrate 60 years of working at BBC and commercial radio stations in July.

He was the first DJ on BBC Radio One when it launched in 1967 and went on to present a series of high-profile radio and TV shows, including Top of the Pops.

He also won the first series of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2002.

Asked what has kept him presenting for so long, Blackburn pointed to his enthusiasm for radio and "a deep love of music".

"I'm 81 one now but I still don't feel 81 - I don't want to retire," he said.

"And also, the thing that keeps me going is Cliff Richard is three years older than I am. I said that [he can't beat me] to him the other day.

"As long as he keeps going, I'll keep going."

The veteran DJ admitted he wants to be at BBC Radio Two when he does eventually decide to retire.

He currently presents a weekly show called the Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn every Saturday on the station.

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