Tony Blackburn set to receive lifetime achievement prize at Radio Academy Awards #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

TONY Blackburn will be celebrating his 50th year in broadcasting by picking up an award next month.

Tony Blackburn will receive the Lifetime Achievement prize at the Radio Academy Awards[WENN]

It's been revealed that the 71-year-old star will receive the lifetime achievement prize at this year's Radio Academy Awards - but it's not the first time he's won it.
Blackburn - who was famously the launch host for Radio 1 - was previously given the title a quarter of a century ago to mark his 25 years on air and he becomes the first person to be honoured twice.
According to the award's organisers, Blackburn's 50th anniversary "could not go unrecognised" and granting him a double was a salute to not only his longevity but also his love of radio and commitment as he still regularly works a six-day week for the BBC and in the commercial world."

The father-of-two will be celebrating his 50th year in broadcasting [GETTY]

Ever since I joined Radio Caroline in July 1964 I have made a living out of my passion. Being a radio presenter, in my opinion, remains the greatest job in the world

Tony Blackburn

"Tony Blackburn is not only loved by his listeners, but also by his fellow broadcasters right across the UK," said Chairman of the awards committee John Myers.
"He has become an icon of British broadcasting with a commitment to and a love for radio that remains unmatched by just about anyone in the medium today."
Blackburn, the host of Radio 2's Pick Of The Pops since 2010, said: "I am truly honoured to be receiving the Gold Award for the second time in my career. I can only assume the Academy thought I'd be dead by the time my 50th anniversary came around and wouldn't have to worry about me.
"Ever since I joined Radio Caroline in July 1964 I have made a living out of my passion. Being a radio presenter, in my opinion, remains the greatest job in the world.

Tony accepted the same award 25 years ago from Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson [Express Newspapers]

The father-of-two went on to thank his loyal listeners, and added: "Without you on the other end of the microphone, I'm just a man, in a room talking to myself for hours on end."
Blackburn will receive the Gold Award at a ceremony in front of around 1,100 guests at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on May 12.
The event was previously known as the Sony Radio Academy Awards, but it's chief sponsor has withdrawn from the event.