COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Tony Blackburn has said the BBC "hung me out to dry" over the Jimmy Savile inquiry and he will sue the corporation where he worked for nearly 50 years.



Director general Tony Hall said the BBC had "parted company" with the Radio 2 DJ after he failed to fully co-operate with Dame Janet Smith's inquiry.

The veteran DJ said the report included an accusation he was among celebrities who "seduced" a 15-year-old girl.

Mr Blackburn, 73, denies the allegation and says he was cleared of wrongdoing.

In his latest statement, he accused the inquiry of being a "whitewash" and said he had been "scapegoated for giving my honest account and best recollections of those events 45 years ago".

Dame Janet's report said it had rejected the evidence given by Mr Blackburn that he had not been questioned at the time about the allegation involving the teenage girl.

In an earlier statement, Mr Blackburn said the allegation made in 1971 was quickly withdrawn. The girl at the centre of the allegation took her own life later that year.

Mr Blackburn said that neither Dame Janet's report into Savile, nor the BBC, made any suggestion he was guilty of misconduct with the girl, nor did a coroner's inquest or a subsequent police inquiry.

Speaking to the BBC News Channel, Dame Janet said both senior BBC executive Bill Cotton and a senior lawyer said they had had conversations with the DJ.

"[He] told me that no such conversation had taken place and this was not a lapse of memory on his part. They simply had not taken place and I rejected that evidence," she said.

Her report into DJ Jimmy Savile and broadcaster Stuart Hall had found the BBC repeatedly failed to stop the pair's "monstrous" abuse because of a "culture of fear".

Mr Blackburn referred to this conclusion in his own statement, saying: "Given Dame Janet Smith's concerns of a culture of fear in coming forward at the BBC, what whistle-blower at the BBC would ever come forward when they see the way they have hung me out to dry?

"Sadly, today's news agenda should have been about the survivors of abuse carried out within the BBC but, by sacking me, they have managed to take the focus off those who have suffered so much," he added.

"My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action."

Mark Goodier to present Pick of the Pops

Mark Goodier has been drafted in to present BBC Radio 2’s Pick of the Pops programme this weekend.

The show, made by independent production company Unique, has been presented by Tony Blackburn since 6th November 2010 when he replaced Dale Winton. Mark Goodier, CEO of Wise Buddah, will host the show for at least the next four weeks.

Tony was let go by the BBC this week after it emerged his version of events over a 1971 allegation does not tally with the corporation’s.

All his BBC radio programmes have ceased – including Friday mornings on BBC Radio Berkshire which Sarah Walker is hosting this week. His BBC Radio London Soul Show will be presented by Jaki Graham this weekend and Lemar next weekend.

Tony will continue with his commercial radio show on kmfm, but it’s unknown at this point if he’s appearing as normal on Bauer stations this weekend.

Tony Blackburn returns to BBC after being sacked over evidence to Savile inquiry

Radio 2 DJ Tony Blackburn - who was sacked over evidence he gave to the Jimmy Savile inquiry - has announced his return to the BBC, saying he "can't wait to get behind the mic again".

The 73-year-old broadcaster, a household favourite, claimed he had been made a "scapegoat" after he was taken off air following Dame Janet Smith's review into sexual abuse at the BBC.

The corporation said it stood by the findings of the review and the decision to take Blackburn off air at the start of this year, but that he would be back on Radio 2 in January.

He previously threatened to sue the corporation.

But in a statement announcing his return, he said: "I do not seek to criticise the BBC for decisions it has made in the past.

"I have had a difficult year personally, but I'm pleased to be returning to the BBC and can't wait to get behind the mic again."

Blackburn will present an hour-long show on Radio 2 on Fridays at 7pm, and will also return to local radio.

Wednesday's BBC statement said Blackburn "stands by his statements to Dame Janet Smith but recognises that the BBC considered a period off air was appropriate".

The BBC said it "stands by the findings of Dame Janet Smith and the decision it made to take Tony Blackburn off air at the start of this year", but it added: "We are pleased to announce Tony Blackburn's return to the BBC in January 2017."