Tony Blackburn sparks concern among fans as he is absent from his BBC Radio 2 show after falling ill

Tony Blackburn sparked concern among fans on Saturday as he was absent from his BBC Radio 2 show.

The presenter, 80, who hosts Sounds of the 60s between 6am and 8am on Saturdays, confirmed he was ill at home in a post he shared on Friday evening.

Taking to Twitter, Tony wrote: ‘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.’

Tony was inundated with messages from fans wishing him well, with one writing: ‘Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Tony.’

Absent: The presenter, 80, who hosts Sounds of the 60s between 6am and 8am on Saturdays, confirmed he was ill at home in a post he shared on Friday evening

Another added: ‘Sorry to hear you are unwell Tony I hope you are making a good recovery and will soon be back on the air.’

A third wrote: ‘Oh sorry to hear that I love your show on Saturday mornings – take lots of care and hope to hear you back soon.’

Tony previously lashed out at the BBC for its ‘strange’ decision to move his Radio 2 show.

The DJ, 79, appeared to blame the decision on ageism, saying in a post on social media ‘there’s a lot of it about’.

The broadcaster learned earlier this month that from mid-July his Golden Hour show would be moved from 7pm on Fridays to the same time on Sunday.

Tony criticised the ‘wacky’ decision on Twitter, and fans of the show flocked to support the former Radio 1 DJ. One commented that the BBC was ‘making a lot of mistakes’ by changing up the scheduling. 

The Golden Hour move was part of wider changes to Radio 2 scheduling that sees Craig Charles’ Saturday House Party axed.

One fan wrote online: ‘It’s the official start of the weekend, we’ll be listening in Tony. Making the most of the Friday nights whilst we can!’

Tony wrote: ‘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’

Reaction: Tony was inundated with messages from fans wishing him well, with one writing: ‘Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Tony’ 

Another added: ‘Enjoying the music tonight… going to miss the golden hour at this time.’

In response, Blackburn promised fans that he would ‘make Sundays more fun’ and agreed it was a ‘pity’ the show was losing its Friday slot ‘where it belongs’.

Earlier in the day, he asked his followers ‘doesn’t anyone value experience anymore’ after learning that some employers were not considering over-55s for jobs.

‘Listening to the radio and the discussion involved people over the age of 55 not being considered by employers for a job. Doesn’t anyone value experience anymore,’ he wrote.

‘I hate ageism and there’s a lot of it about.’