He was born Kenneth Blackburn and educated at Millfield School. He began his career as a singer, then worked as a DJ for the offshore pirate radio stations Radio Caroline and Radio London, before joining the BBC in the mid-1960s. He was the first DJ to be heard when BBC Radio 1 was launched in 1967, and for many years afterwards hosted the breakfast show and was the UK's number one DJ. His cheery style and corny jokes ensured his popularity and made him a household name.