Tony Blackburn sparks concern among fans after missing his radio shows

TONY Blackburn sparked concern among his fans today when he was absent from his BBC Radio 2 show.

The 80-year-old usually presents Sounds of the 60s between 6am and 8am on Saturdays.

But last night former I'm a Celebrity campmate Tony confirmed he would be missing the show due to illness.

He wrote on Twitter: "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."

Fans rushed to send well wishes, with one writing: "Doing too much Tony! Take care and get well soon."

Another said: "Get well soon Tony, you are a special part of our lives."

And a third added: "Please take good care of yourself and get well soon."

Tony has hosted Sound of the 60s since March 2017.

He previously hit out at TV stars being given radio shows off the back of their fame.

He said: “Very few people are good on television and radio, I always preferred radio.

"Noel Edmonds was good on both but he preferred television because he realised there was more money.

“Nowadays, it’s reversed a bit. Quite often now you’ve got television people, who don’t really know what they’re doing on the radio, it’s a shame.

“If you’re on Strictly Come Dancing or one of these shows you immediately get on because you’re a ‘celebrity’.

“I don’t think people who run these radio stations realise that television isn’t as important as it used to be because there aren’t the big audiences any more."

Tony added: "Any old telly personality seems to get a radio gig these days."