Johnnie Walker introduces the artists on stage at the BBC Radio 2 Festival (Image: Getty Images)
Radio 2 icon Johnnie Walker battled with lung disease before passing away at the age of 79.
Having served the broadcaster for a remarkable 58 years, Walker’s poor health forced him into retirement in October. As a stalwart of , he gained recognition for presenting Sounds Of The 70s and The Rock Show.
His prolonged struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) had taken a significant toll on his life.
presenter and close friend of Walker, Bob Harris, announced the tragic news on-air. Just months prior, Walker revealed that his departure from the show was imminent and would be forced to surrender his radio show, stating: “Now, that leads me to be making a very sad announcement.”
“The struggles I’ve had with doing the show and trying to sort of keep up a professional standard suitable for Radio 2 has been getting more and more difficult, hence my little jokes about Puffing Billy. So I’ve had to make the decision that I need to bring my career to an end after 58 years.”.
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Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker returns to Radio 2 Monday March 1, 2004, after treatment for cancer. He announced to listeners in June that he had a malignant tumour in his colon and took a break for emergency surgery and chemotherapy. He returned to host the two-hour drivetime programme at 5pm. See PA Story SHOWBIZ Walker PA Photo Yui Mok (Image: Press Association)
The married father-of-two’s tenure spanned over five decades, having joined the network in 1969. His health woes started in 2003, following a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the colon.
A heart attack in 2019 required him to undergo a triple heart bypass. A year later, he received a devastating IPF diagnosis – a debilitating lung condition characterised by progressive breathing difficulties.
Johnnie’s health condition necessitated that he broadcast his radio shows from the comfort of his home in Dorset. His devoted wife Tiggy, who provided constant care, shared a poignant insight into their lives during Carers Week, admitting: “I’m so tired. Sometimes I find it hard to go on.”
Doctors had grimly advised Johnnie to be ready for the end at any time. The severity of his illness meant the couple slept apart, with Johnnie requiring an oxygen mask at night.
Following Johnnie’s passing, Tiggy honoured her husband’s memory, stating: “I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped with his debilitating lung disease.”
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Johnnie had a succesful 58-year-career (Image: Getty)
She continued to praise his enduring spirit, saying: “He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. And if I may say – what a day to go. He’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a stash of great musicians in heaven. One year on from his last live show. God bless that extraordinary husband of mine who is now in a place of peace.”
Johnnie began his radio career in 1966 on offshore pirate station, Swinging Radio England. He then moved on to Radio Caroline, where he became a household name hosting the hugely popular night-time show. In 1969, he joined Radio 1 and remained there until 1976.
He then moved to San Francisco, before returning to the UK in the 80s. He left Radio 1 for good in 1995 and three years later he was offered his own weekly show on Radio 2.