BBC radio legend Johnnie Walker has died at the age of 79.
The veteran presented his final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 and hosted his final episode of The Rock Show at the end of October as he retired due to ill health.
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Radio veteran Johnnie Walker has died at the age of 79
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He signed his final show Sounds Of The 70s on BBC Radio 2 at the end of OctoberCredit: PA
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Johnnie at Buckingham Palace, London after receiving an MBE for services to broadcasting Credit: PA
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Johnnie and his wife Tiggy photographed outside their home in 2020. Credit: Rex
Walker announced in early October that he was retiring from radio after 58 years after being previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
The BBC radio legend showered the tributes with his wife describing him as an “extraordinary husband”.
Tiggy Walker, Johnnie’s wife, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he continued to broadcast almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he dealt with his debilitating lung disease.
“He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong and incredible man. It was a roller coaster ride from start to finish.
“And if I may say so – what a day to leave. They’ll be ringing in the New Year with a bunch of great musicians in the sky.
“One year since his last live performance. God bless that wonderful husband of mine who is now in a place of peace.”
Johnnie was born in Birmingham and left school at 15 to train as a mechanic, later working as a car salesman.
He found an outlet for his passion for music in a Friday night slot as a disco DJ under the name Peter Dee.
Walker began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station.
He later moved to Radio Caroline, where he became a well-known host of a very popular nightly show.
‘HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH’ Legendary BBC presenter Johnnie Walker made an emotional farewell in his final radio show, leaving listeners in tears
Walker joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969, continuing until 1976, later moving to San Francisco, where he recorded a weekly show broadcast on Radio Luxembourg.
He returned to the UK in the 80s and presented Radio 1’s Saturday stereo sequence.
After working on various BBC stations, he left Radio 1 for good in 1995 and was offered his own weekly show on Radio 2 three years later, before taking over Drivetime.
He gained a reputation as a DJ who placed more importance on the records he played than the between-song chat, with names he pioneered including Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles.
‘I’ve known Johnny since the 1960s’
BBC Radio 2 Sounds Of The 70s host Bob Harris told listeners the “very sad news” of the death of former presenter Johnnie Walker.
Presenting Tuesday’s edition of the show, he said he heard the news from the late host’s widow, Tiggy.
Harris said on the show: “I’ve known Johnnie since the 1960s when I first started listening to him on pirate radio and we know what an amazing, wonderful, superb broadcaster he was.
“We also know how passionate he was about his music, he would go to great lengths to defend the music he loved and he was passionate about the radio, and as the 60s turned into the 70s, he and I became closer and closer. friends, a friendship that has lasted until today.
“We had many shared experiences, not only mutual support during various health experiences.
“In fact, Johnnie and I exchanged messages throughout the time after I took over the show, he wished me the best at the beginning of the first program I did.
“‘Sending you lots of love’ he said, ‘relax and enjoy, the listeners are wonderful and will look after you, all the best from Johnny’.”
Harris opened the show with the Golden Years of David Bowie and also talked about how Walker helped him after his aortic dissection.
In October 2003, Walker underwent chemotherapy and emergency surgery for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
He told his listeners live on air about the diagnosis and later revealed that he had “died” on the operating table three times during surgery to repair a ruptured intestine.
The condition IPF is one “where the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult”, according to the NHS.
The NHS website says it is not clear what causes the condition and that treatments can reduce the rate of worsening, but that “there is currently no treatment that can stop or reverse lung scarring”.
BBC Radio 2 presenter Helen Thomas said: “Everyone at Radio 2 is heartbroken at the passing of Johnnie, a much-loved broadcasting legend.
“He arranged slots for Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show, sharing his personal memories and stories each week.
They will celebrate the New Year with a bunch of great musicians in the sky.
Tiggy Walker, Johnnie’s wife
“He loved radio and inspired a generation of presenters, passionately promoting the artists and music he cared deeply about.
“Johnnie’s wry sense of humor and his warm, open presentation style ensured that audiences adored him.
“The airwaves just won’t be the same.
“He will be sorely missed by Radio 2 presenters, staff and listeners, and our thoughts are with his wife Tiggy and his children.”
Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Johnny’s death and our thoughts are with his family and friends, as well as everyone at Radio 2.
“Johnnie was a pop radio pioneer and champion of great music, entertaining millions of adoring listeners on the BBC for decades and recently hosting two Radio 2 shows.
“No one loved the crowd like Johnnie, and we loved him back.”
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He hosted the popular Radio Two Drive Time slot for seven years Credit: Getty
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Johnnie was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Credit: PA
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Walker announced his retirement in early October Credit: Rex
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BBC disc jockey Johnnie filmed in 1976. Credit: Getty
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