Broadcasting legend Tony Blackburn OBE will host a new weekly soul show exclusively on BBC Sounds and Radio 2. Tony Blackburn\u2019s Sounds of Soul will simultaneously air every Saturday at 1-2am on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, and will launch on New Year\u2019s Day 2026 at 1-2am on BBC Sounds. This first episode will be followed by a one-off three-hour special on Radio 2 from 4-7am. Packed with expertly curated soul songs spanning the decades, Tony Blackburn\u2019s Sounds of Soul will be showcased in a special programme on Radio 2 on Friday, 2nd January from 12-2pm, taking listeners on a feel-good soul journey.<\/p>\n
Tony has popularised and championed Motown and soul in the UK since the 1960s to the present day. He hosted a dedicated soul programme on the BBC for many years and has regularly presented bank holiday soul specials on Radio 2.<\/p>\n
Tony said: \u201cI’m absolutely thrilled to be playing the music I’ve always loved, from classic soul hits right across the decades up to the modern day. I can’t wait to get started, it’s going to be amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: \u201cTony, as well as being the much loved host of Sounds of the 60s each Saturday morning and Tony Blackburn\u2019s Golden Hour every Sunday evening, is a true pioneer of soul and R&B in the UK, and we\u2019re thrilled to bring listeners his new weekly show on BBC Sounds. This programme will capture everything listeners adore about Tony \u2014 his warmth, deep knowledge, and lifelong passion for the music he has championed from the very beginning. We can\u2019t wait for everyone to rediscover their love of soul and celebrate timeless hits as well as the superstars of tomorrow with national treasure Tony at the helm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tony Blackburn\u2019s Sounds of Soul is produced by Platform Media for BBC Sounds.<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t forget on 31st December, Radio 2 listeners will be treated to NYE Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn (2-4pm). Tony will be kicking off the New Year’s Eve celebrations with two hours of 60s party anthems, featuring hits from The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones. The second hour will be the Radio 2 listeners’ choice!<\/p>\n
These shows are in addition to Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn (Saturdays, 6-8am), which is Radio 2\u2019s most listened to on-demand programme on BBC Sounds, and Tony Blackburn\u2019s Golden Hour (Sundays, 7-8pm).<\/p>\n
BBC Radio 2 is the UK\u2019s most listened to single radio station, with a weekly audience of 12.8 million (RAJAR Q3, 2025) and The Radio 2 Breakfast Show is the most listened to Breakfast show in the UK with 6.2 million listeners (RAJAR Q3, 2025). Vernon Kay is the most listened to radio show in the UK with 6.6 million listeners (RAJAR Q3, 2025).<\/p>\n
The network\u2019s presenters include Richie Anderson, Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Revd. Kate Bottley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Mark Goodier, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Vernon Kay, Shaun Keaveny, Cerys Matthews, Paddy McGuinness, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O\u2019Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spoony, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Jo Whiley and Owain Wyn Evans. \u00a0<\/p>\n
SVDG<\/p>\n
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