BBC Radio 2 legend Tony Blackburn opened up during an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women when he admitted he was close to death

Radio legend Tony Blackburn has revealed details about a terrifying health scare, confessing: “I nearly died.”

The 82-year-old, who presents Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio 2, made an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women on Monday to discuss his programme and his extensive broadcasting career.

Tony initially rose to prominence on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London during the 1960s, before becoming part of the BBC and maintaining a lengthy and successful association with the broadcaster ever since.

However, two years ago, Tony fell critically ill with sepsis and was subsequently informed that he had almost died.

When Loose Women presenter Ruth Langsford questioned him about the ordeal, he responded: “Well I had sepsis yes, two years ago. I gather I nearly died but I wasn’t aware of it,” reports Wales Online.

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

Making the panel and studio audience laugh, he added: “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 then told viewers that the person who helped pull him through during his recovery was his former BBC colleague Noel Edmonds, who now lives in New Zealand and recently returned to television with his own programme, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure.

Tony explained how the duo would exchange messages during his journey back to health.

Tony is now fit and well again and as well as presenting Sounds of the 60s on radio, he’s preparing to tour the UK next year with the show which honours the timeless tracks from that decade. The Sounds of the 60s tour features an evening of classics performed by the Sounds of the 60s All-Star Band and Singers.

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 and The Supremes, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Stevie Wonder.

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Tony joked that he didn’t want to leave his money to his family(Image: ITV)

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 ITV1 weekdays at 12.30pm and ITVX