Biography

Comedy legend Spike Milligan famously chose him to be consigned to oblivion for his guest appearance on Room 101 (1994), saying: "He is without any talent. All he can do is small talk. The smartest thing I ever heard him say was "good morning". The moment I saw him talking, I thought "you're an idiot". The best I can wish him is an early death".

He sold his Ginger Media Group in 2000 for £225m.

In July 2017, the BBC revealed that he was the corporation's highest paid entertainer.

In 2010 he bought a Ferrari 250 GTO for 12.000.000£ (13.800.000EUR) 3 years later he sold the car for 42.000.000$ (39.000.000EUR).

He is a celebrity supporter of the Orchid Cancer Appeal in the United Kingdom.

Back in 1985, I was working as a kissogram in Manchester. I had six jobs to do on the evening of Live Aid (1985) and I couldn't wait to get back into the car - a mark three green Triumph Spitfire - to listen to the unfolding events on the radio. In fact, I almost missed one of my appointments because I was waiting for Madonna to come on!

[on narrating Sir Jimmy Savile: As It Happened (2011)] It is very very good. And very much an antidote to some of the less kind things that have been suggested about this famous and much loved son of Leeds. He really was a one off, both the first and last face to be seen on Top of the Pops (1964) - forty years apart.

[on who he'd marry if he was gay] If I was going to have babies with him it'd be Robert Downey Jr., for companionship it would be Jools Holland I think.

You've got to love every aspect of Tony Blackburn, haven't you?

[on Spandau Ballet] One of the bands who defined the '80s.