Blackburn began his career with pirate station Radio Caroline

Messages of congratulation were sent in to Blackburn during his breakfast show on Classic Gold Digital.

"I hope that he will be broadcasting for many years to come," said Classic Gold's managing director John Baish.

"I can't believe anyone would still want to employ me after 40 years," Blackburn, 61, told listeners.

"I must be mad, but as long as the listeners still want me I'll carry on doing what I love."

Blackburn was suspended in June for two days from Classic Gold Digital after playing two Cliff Richard songs when he had been told not to play Sir Cliff's music.

Resolved

But he was reinstated, and Sir Cliff's music was returned to the play list.

Mr Baish said at the time that Blackburn's suspension had been prompted by the way differences of opinion over the playlist were settled rather than over the music itself.

"This row was never actually about Cliff, it was just a situation with Tony that got out of control. I'm glad we resolved it," Mr Baish said.

Blackburn said: "I'm delighted this business has been settled. I enjoy working with Classic Gold and doing my breakfast show immensely.

"I'm also pleased that we're going to be playing Cliff Richard records," he added. "It's the listeners who have come out on top."

Blackburn beat seven other minor celebrities to win ITV1's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in 2001.

He began his career with pirate station Radio Caroline in 1964.

In 1967 he played The Move's Flowers in the Rain to inaugurate the BBC's new Radio 1.