Legendary DJ and King of the Jungle Tony Blackburn proved the ultimate crowd pleaser at our Summer of Love weekend. This is one soul man who's still going strong...

Tony, you've been a radio DJ for over 40 years - how does today's industry compare with when you started?

I started back in 1964, on pirate radio ships, and there were hardly any stations back then. I had over 20 million listeners when I worked for Radio 1. Now it's more competitive and difficult to capture radio and TV audiences.

You've just played at the Summer of Love weekender. How was the Butlins experience for you?

To be honest, I'd got fed up with doing live shows, but the Butlins gig gave me the buzz I needed to do them again! I got a terrific reaction. It was an older crowd that really shared my love of music - there was so much energy and enthusiasm.

The first record you played on Radio 1 was Flowers In The Rain by The Move and you introduced the same group live on stage at Butlins' Summer of Love event. Why do you think both you and the band have such lasting appeal?

I think The Move are still around because 60s music is so special. And I like to think that me playing their single put them on the map. For me, it's about adapting with the times. And I'm still as enthusiastic about what I do as I was when I started.

What kick-started your love of music?

I just always loved music, particularly the sounds of soul and black singers. Soul singers sing from the heart.

Can you tell us a bit about the Soul Nnights you started in London?

I did a show called the Radio London Soul Night Out once a week in a club in Kilburn and broadcast an hour of it live. More than 3,000 people attended and Stevie Wonder turned up to the first night.

Is it true that Stevie Wonder wanted to thank you for introducing soul to the UK?

Yes, and I got to know him quite well. I was the first DJ to popularise Motown. He wasn't the only star I met along the way - I also toured with Diana Ross, I knew Frank Sinatra, David Cassidy and more.

You've picked up countless awards for your work in radio. Which of these are you most proud of winning and why?

I must have won around 40 awards. I'm proud of winning the Variety Club of Great Britain Radio Personality of the Year and also the Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Radio. You normally have to be as good as dead to get that one, but I was awarded it about 18 years ago.

Do you have a more relaxed attitude to your life now that you've achieved so much, or are you constantly setting yourself new challenges?

I never relax. After all, you're only as good as your last show. And I still get a terrific buzz out of my work.

What have the most exciting moments of your career been and why?

There are a few. The first one was working on Radio Caroline in 1964. It was brand new and pioneering and it broke the BBC's monopoly. Then it was being the first DJ to open Radio 1. And then winning I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. That really altered my quality of life. It was like a religious experience and I think it has made me much better with people.

How did you get the chance to DJ in Ibiza and where did you appear?

I DJ'd at Eden. The organisers wanted something different and they knew I did a stage act. I had everyone dancing to YMCA and doing the hokey-cokey. Then they went back to being cool again.

Who are your musical heroes and why?

Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder for soul. And I like acts such as Abba and Slade as they put on a great show. One of the best records ever made was YMCA - anything that's just fun. That's why I like Butlins - they know how to entertain.

Do you have any exciting new projects in the pipeline?

I've just completed my autobiography. It came out in September and is called Poptastic!: My Life in Radio.

You can listen to Tony every morning from Monday to Friday on Classic Gold's breakfast show; Saturday afternoon on BBC London; and Sunday on Classic Gold. Visit www.classicgolddigital.com or www.bbc.co.uk/london. To find out more about Tony's book, visit www.mpce.com