Tony Blackburn will front a brand-new weekly soul show next year on BBC Sounds.
The series, Tony Blackburn’s Sounds of Soul, will start on 1 January 2026 with its first episode arriving on BBC Sounds from 1 to 2am, and Radio 2 will air it at the same time every Saturday.
To mark the launch, Radio 2 will broadcast a one-off three-hour special from 4 to 7am on the same morning, offering an extended celebration of the music Tony has championed throughout his career.
The station will also air a two-hour soul showcase on 2 January from 12 to 2pm to introduce listeners to the feel of the new programme.
Tony has spent decades popularising soul and Motown across the UK, becoming one of the country’s most recognisable voices in the genre ever since rising to national attention in the 1960s.
He has hosted a long line of soul shows for the BBC including regular Radio 2 bank holiday specials.
Tony says he is excited to begin this next chapter, explaining that he is absolutely thrilled to be playing the music he has always loved, from classic soul hits to modern releases.
He added that he cannot wait to get started because the new show feels like a natural step for someone who has spent his life celebrating the artists who shaped the genre.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says Tony’s reputation as the much-loved presenter of Sounds of the 60s and Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour, combined with his pioneering work in bringing soul and R&B to mainstream UK audiences, makes him the perfect choice to lead the new weekly series.
She says the programme will give audiences the chance to rediscover their love of soul while also discovering new voices, promising a blend of timeless classics and rising talent that reflects both the history and future of the genre.
Listeners will be able to hear Tony Blackburn’s Sounds of Soul from New Year’s Day 2026, with BBC Sounds offering on-demand access and Radio 2 providing weekly broadcasts to bring early-morning audiences a feel-good soundtrack to start the year.
