Tony Blackburn return spells humiliation for BBC desperate to avoid court case after false sex abuse claims sacking
Veteran radio broadcaster was still paid after getting the axe over allegations he seduced a girl of 15
RADIO star Tony Blackburn was rehired by the BBC yesterday in a humiliating U-turn eight months after they sacked him.
The move by director general Tony Hall came after he axed the veteran DJ because his evidence to the Jimmy Savile sex abuse inquiry “fell short” of what was expected.
The Sun can reveal the Beeb paid 73-year-old Blackburn’s wages throughout the period he was off air, after he threatened to sue over his dismissal.
It comes as Sir Cliff Richard, 76, takes legal action against the BBC over the way it televised a police raid on his house.
Insiders suggested the two high- profile court cases in quick succession could have been hugely damaging to Tony Hall.
But Blackburn’s return effectively ends his threat of legal action.
A source said: “This is massively embarrassing for the director general and the BBC and a huge climbdown for their previous position on the matter.
“In bringing Tony Blackburn back, and paying him while he was out of work, they’ve kept him sweet and the matter out of court.”
The DJ was sacked from shows on Radio 2 and Radio London in February over unfounded claims he had seduced a girl of 15.
73-year-old Blackburn has had a string of high-profile presenting jobs, including being the first DJ to broadcast on Radio 1 when it launched in September 1967.
He will now host an hour-long Radio 2 show starting in January.
He said yesterday: “I have had a difficult year personally, but I’m pleased to be returning to the BBC and can’t wait to get back behind the mike again.”
A BBC spokesman said: “He has only ever been paid his contractual entitlement and nothing more.”
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The broadcaster who worked with Savile at Radio 1 for many years, said none of his colleagues ''liked him particularly'', adding: ''He was an oddball. I didn't like him as a person. It was always this silly Jimmy Savile. He never talked to you in a normal way.
''There were always rumours about him but I never saw him do anything wrong. I didn't realise how bad he was.''
