Radio icon Tony Blackburn has opened up on a health scare a couple of years ago and admitted: “I nearly died.”

The 82-year-old, who hosts Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio 2, appeared on ITV’s Loose Women on Monday to chat about his show and his long career in broadcasting.

Tony first achieved fame on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC and has enjoyed a long and series with the broadcaster ever since.

But just two years ago, Tony was seriously ill and was later told that he almost died. When Loose Women host Ruth Langsford asked him about it, he replied: “Well I had sepsis yes, two years ago. I gather I nearly died but I wasn’t aware of it.”

Tony Blackburn opened up on his near-death experience

Tony Blackburn opened up on his near-death experience(Image: ITV)

 

He continued, much to the amusement of the panel and audience: “I woke up one morning and all my family were around my bed and I thought ‘God, they’re not going to get my money yet.’ So I recovered!”

Tony went on to tell viewers that the person who helped pull him through was his former BBC colleague Noel Edmonds who is now living in New Zealand and recently made his TV comeback with his own series, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure.

Tony shared how the pair would message each other when Tony was on his road to recovery.

Now Tony is back to full health and as well as hosting Sounds of the 60s on air, he’s gearing up to tour the UK next year with the show which celebrates the classic songs from the era.

The Sounds of the 60s tour features an evening of classics performed by the Sounds of the 60s All-Star Band and Singers.

Tony joked he didn't want his family getting their hands on his money yet

Tony joked he didn’t want his family getting their hands on his money yet(Image: ITV)

The set promises songs and medleys made famous by The Everly Brothers, Elvis, The Drifters and Marvin Gaye, alongside nods to The Rolling Stones, The Walker Brothers, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Stevie Wonder.

Tony, who was the first-ever winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! previously said: “The reaction to these shows has been amazing — it’s pure joy seeing audiences singing and dancing along to the greatest decade of music.

“Every night feels like a celebration, not just of the songs, but of the memories they bring back. 2026 is going to be another fantastic year for the tour, and I can’t wait to travel the country with this amazing band, sharing the music I’ve loved my whole life.”

Loose Women is on ITV weekdays at 12.30pm and on ITVX