Born:
January 29, 1943
in
Guildford, Surrey
Best Known For:
Being Radio 1's first DJ.
Early-life:
Antony Kenneth Blackburn was born on January 29, 1943, in Guildford, Surrey. His father was a doctor. Tony was educated at Millfield Public School in Somerset and Bournemouth College. He made his first public appearance while still at college, singing and playing guitar for the Ian Ralfini Dance Orchestra at the Bournemouth Pavilion. He read in the music press that disc jockeys were wanted by a radio station, applied and got the job.
Career:
Blackburn made his first pirate broadcast on July 28, 1964, on Radio Caroline. In 1966, he joined its rival, Radio London. He was the first DJ on air when Radio 1 launched in 1967 and spent the next 17 years at the network. TV work includes Time for Blackburn, Top of the Pops, Noel's House Party, The Bill, KYTV and The Brain Drain. In 2002, he was introduced to a whole new audience when he won the first series of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! In 2010, he replaced Dale Winton as the regular host of Radio 2's Pick of the Pops. He also presents various shows on regional networks. His greatest love is soul music. In 2015, he was a contestant on ITV's celebrity sheepdog trials programme Flockstars.
Quote:
"I'd like to die live on air."
Trivia:
Blackburn is a vegetarian.