Tony Blackburn: Age, Wife Tessa Wyatt, Net Worth

Tony Blackburn’s voice was the first to crackle through BBC Radio 1 on its opening day in 1967, but decades later his name keeps resurfacing for reasons that have little to do with music. From his high-profile marriage to actress Tessa Wyatt to questions about his personal fortune, the legendary DJ remains a figure of fascination.

Born: 29 January 1943 ·
Age: 81 (as of 2024) ·
Occupation: Disc jockey, singer, television presenter ·
Years Active: Over 60

Eight key details, one pattern: the public record is solid on Blackburn’s professional milestones but thin on his private finances and family life.

The pattern is clear: what’s publicly recorded about Blackburn comes almost entirely from his professional life, while personal finances and family remain undocumented.

Why did Tessa Wyatt and Tony Blackburn split?

The marriage between Tony Blackburn and actress Tessa Wyatt lasted eight years, from 1970 until their divorce in 1978 (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)). The precise reason for the split has never been fully explained by either party in public. What is known: in 1977, after they separated, Blackburn played Chicago’s If You Leave Me Now repeatedly on his radio show and publicly begged her to return (BBC News (UK public service news)).

Who did Tony Blackburn’s wife leave him for?

Rumours have circulated for years that Tessa Wyatt left Blackburn for the actor Richard O’Sullivan, but no credible source has confirmed this. The question remains in the realm of tabloid speculation, not established fact.

Did Tony Blackburn have children with Tessa Wyatt?

Biographical sources vary on the number of children from the marriage. Some list two sons (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)), while other credible outlets do not mention children at all. The uncertainty means this detail is best treated as unconfirmed.

How many children has Tessa Wyatt got?

Tessa Wyatt’s family beyond the marriage is not part of the public record. There is no authoritative source that lists her children outside her relationship with Blackburn.

Did Tessa Wyatt have a child with Richard O’Sullivan?

Again, this appears only in unsubstantiated gossip. No verified reporting or official statement supports the claim.

How rich is Tony Blackburn?

Tony Blackburn’s net worth has never been publicly disclosed by any reliable source. Websites that attempt to estimate his wealth (typically citing figures between £1 million and £5 million) rely on unverified formulas and should be treated with caution. The BBC’s official biography avoids the topic entirely (BBC Radio 2 (public service broadcaster)).

How much is Tessa Wyatt worth?

Similarly, Tessa Wyatt’s net worth is not part of the public domain. Her acting credits, including a role in EastEnders, suggest a modest television career, but no financial figures are available.

What is Tony Blackburn doing now?

As of 2025, Tony Blackburn remains an active BBC broadcaster. He hosts Sounds of the 60s every Saturday on BBC Radio 2, with new episodes regularly airing (BBC Sounds (BBC’s official audio platform)). The programme runs in a weekly Saturday slot; for example, the 17 May 2025 episode lasted 117 minutes (BBC Sounds (BBC’s official audio platform)). In 2025 he also launched a Sounds of the 60s Live Tour, with dates from March through November (TotalNtertainment (entertainment news site)).

Tony Blackburn today

Outside of radio, Blackburn occasionally appears on television panel shows and maintains a presence on Twitter and Facebook. His BBC profile states he has worked across several stations including Smooth Radio, BBC London, KMFM and KCFM (BBC Radio 2 (public service broadcaster)).

Where is Tessa Wyatt now?

Tessa Wyatt has largely stayed out of the public eye since her divorce from Tony Blackburn. Her most notable acting credit after the 1970s was a role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, but the precise years of that appearance are not widely documented. No current public profile lists a specific occupation or residence. Her whereabouts remain private.

Who did Tessa Wyatt play in EastEnders?

She played a character named Lydia, but the role was short and the details are not confirmed by any official BBC archive page.

What is Tessa’s birthday?

Her date of birth is not publicly available. Most biographical references describe her simply as “actress Tessa Wyatt” without a birth date.

For BBC Radio 2 listeners, Blackburn’s ongoing presence on air means the weekend soundtrack of sixties hits remains safe, but the curiosity about his personal past shows no sign of fading. The lesson for anyone researching his life is clear: the professional record is strong, but the private details require a generous dose of caution.