Blackburn won the reality TV show I'm A Celebrity...

Blackburn, who has enjoyed a career boost since his appearance last year on reality TV show I'm a Celebrity..., fought off competition from politician Tony Benn and singer Tom Jones.

Broadcasters David Attenborough and Kate Adie, former Prime Minister John Major and TV presenter Anne Robinson were also up for the award.

Fellow DJ Terry Wogan is due to present Blackburn with his gong when he hosts the Oldie of the Year awards at London's Simpson's-in-the-Strand on Tuesday.

I don't know - King of the Jungle last year - Oldie of the Year this Tony Blackburn

"It's a big thrill, a big honour - possibly the greatest day of my life," said Blackburn after hearing about his win.

Other Oldie winners include actress Joanna Lumley, who emerged triumphant in the Age Cannot Wither Her category.

Journalist Keith Waterhouse is Oldie Hack of the Year, while former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Elizabeth Filkin will walk away with the Oldie Campaigner of the Year award.

Bullet-dodger

This year's judging panel, which included Oldie Magazine editor Richard Ingrams and former MP Martin Bell, put newsman Sandy Gall in the Oldie Bullet-dodger of the Year category.

Satirical comedians John Bird and John Fortune also won awards - in the Oldie Opposition of the Year section.

All of the winners are due to attend the ceremony, apart from Ms Filkin, whose award will be collected by Martin Bell.

Other stars on the guest list include Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, actress Maureen Lipman and comedians Ronnie Corbett and Harry Enfield.

Past winner of the title of Oldie of the Year have included One Foot in the Grave star Richard Wilson, late comedian Spike Milligan and film star Peter O'Toole.

Cult status

Blackburn shot to fame again after winning ITV1 reality TV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, when his affable outlook and log-gathering antics endeared him to a new generation.

His new-found cult status was confirmed when he presented the best DJ award at black music awards the Mobos in October.

The former Top of the Pops presenter now appears on Classic Gold and Jazz FM and tours the country with his 70s and 80s show.