Blackburn back after Cliff hanger

A radio station has reinstated veteran DJ Tony Blackburn after suspending him for playing Cliff Richard records.

Classic Gold has caved in and put the Summer Holiday singer back on its playlist.

The trouble erupted when Blackburn received an email from his bosses saying that playing Cliff tracks was against company policy.

But the former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner tore up the warning live on air yesterday and played two Cliff hits back to back.

Within minutes of playing the tracks - We Don't Talk Any More and Living Doll - the former Radio 1 presenter was suspended.

This morning, Classic Gold released a statement saying it had settled its differences and that Blackburn will return to his breakfast show tomorrow.

The station had reviewed its music policy following a "staggering amount" of listener support for Cliff, it said.

Head of programmes Paul Baker said: "We have to listen to our listeners, or they won't listen to us.

"It's quite obvious now that they want to hear Cliff Richard on the station, so that's what we'll do."

Managing director John Baish said: "This row was never actually about Cliff, it was just a situation with Tony which got out of control.

"I'm glad we've resolved it."

Blackburn, 61, said he was "delighted" that the dispute had 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. It's the listeners who have come out on top," he said.