Former BBC Radio 2 DJ dies on the age of 79

Radio presenter Johnnie Walker has been described as a “broadcasting legend”, following his demise elderly 79.

The DJ died on Tuesday, two months after calling time on his 58-year profession on account of in poor health well being.

Presenter Bob Harris, who took over BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 70s display after Walker’s retirement, introduced his former colleague’s demise continue to exist the station.

Harris described him as “an improbable, heat, excellent broadcaster” who “went out on a limb repeatedly to protect the song that he enjoyed and he used to be hooked in to radio”.

Walker had pulmonary fibrosis, which is scarring of the lungs, a situation which makes respiring tough.

He stepped down from presenting Sounds of the 70s and the Rock Display, additionally on Radio 2, on the finish of October.

The station’s controller Helen Thomas described him as “a much-loved broadcasting legend”.

“Johnnie’s wry sense of humour and his heat, open taste of presenting ensured he used to be adored by way of his target audience,” she stated.

“The airwaves merely would possibly not be the similar once more. He’ll be very a lot neglected by way of Radio 2 presenters, group of workers and listeners alike, and our ideas are together with his spouse Tiggy and his youngsters.”

Tiggy Walker stated she “could not be extra proud” of her husband and “how he stored broadcasting nearly to the top and with what dignity and beauty he coped together with his debilitating lung illness”.

“He remained his fascinating, funny self to the top, what a powerful wonderful guy. It’s been a rollercoaster trip from begin to end,” she stated.

“And if I would possibly say – what an afternoon to move. He will be celebrating New Yr’s Eve with a stash of serious musicians in heaven. Twelve months on from his closing are living display. God bless that odd husband of mine who’s now in a spot of peace.”

Site visitors presenter Sally Boazman, who labored alonside Walker when he hosted Radio 2’s drivetime display from 1999 to 2006, stated he used to be “the sort of nice broadcaster”.

“[He was] in reality nice in the best way that he offered, he had a perfect voice, he knew his song inside of out, he used to be the actual deal,” she stated.

“It used to be very unhappy to look the best way he misplaced his voice in opposition to the top, however he nonetheless had that enthusiasm and that love of the song.”

Radio 2’s Tony Blackburn stated it used to be “an overly unhappy loss as a result of he used to be the sort of nice broadcaster and a just right good friend as neatly”.

On his display on Tuesday, Harris recalled being pals with Walker for the reason that Nineteen Sixties, and stated that they had been exchanging texts just lately after he took over Sounds of the 70s.

“He wanted me neatly for the primary programme I did… ‘The listeners are beautiful and they will take care of you.'”

Harris additionally learn out a tribute from Shaun Keaveny, who took over the Rock Display from Walker.

Keaveny described him as “a riot, a soul searcher and a seeker, a rocker, a fantastic broadcaster”.

“He completely lived lifestyles to the restrict. It used to be a complete privilege to have labored with him. So satisfied you might be there are living, Bob, we are all listening,” he added.

Radio 1 breakfast display host Greg James additionally despatched a message to Harris. “My dad and I are sitting right here being attentive to you. Such unhappy information, however radio is the best group every now and then like those,” he wrote.

Former Radio 2 host Ken Bruce wrote on social media: “So sorry to listen to the scoop concerning the nice Johnnie Walker. Now not best used to be he a good looking broadcaster but in addition a person of serious non-public power and kindness.”

Radio 2 presenter Elaine Paige stated she used to be “so very unhappy” to listen to of Walker’s demise. “My inner most condolences to his spouse Tiggy and his circle of relatives. He’ll be so deeply neglected by way of everybody,” she added.

Radio 5 Are living’s Nicky Campbell posted on X: “Good-bye Johnnie. Candy and sensible guy. I’m so fortunate to have recognized you. You had been an inspiration.”

Walker had introduced continue to exist air in October that he could be striking up his microphone to retire.

He defined the rationale after studying out a letter from a listener whose dad had enjoyed the display, however had passed on to the great beyond in 2022 because of pulmonary fibrosis.

“Now, that leads me to be making an overly unhappy announcement,” he stated.

“The struggles I’ve had with doing the display and looking to type of stay up a certified same old appropriate for Radio 2 has been getting increasingly tough, therefore my little jokes about Puffing Billy, so I’ve needed to make the verdict that I want to carry my profession to an finish.”

Walker’s closing episode of The Rock Display aired on 25 October, and his ultimate episode of Sounds of the 70s used to be broadcast on 27 October.

On the finish of his ultimate display, Walker stated: “[It’s] going to be very odd to not be at the wi-fi anymore. Additionally, by way of the similar token, lifestyles shall be somewhat much less of a pressure in reality, looking for the breath as a way to do the programmes.

“Thanks for being with me these kinds of years and take just right care of your self and the ones you like and would possibly we stroll into the long run with our heads held prime and happiness in our hearts. God bless you.”

Walker started his radio profession in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, earlier than shifting to Radio Caroline.

He used to be recruited by way of BBC Radio 1 in 1969, then joined Radio 2 in 1997, the place he remained till his retirement.

On his lunchtime Radio 1 display, which introduced in 1971, he championed names like Steve Harley, Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Steely Dan.

He additionally frolicked dwelling in California within the Nineteen Seventies earlier than returning house within the 80s, rejoining Radio 1 in 1987. He additionally offered displays for Radio 5 Are living.

In 2003, whilst host of Radio 2’s drivetime slot, Walker had chemotherapy and emergency surgical treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and informed listeners on the time he had “died” thrice at the running desk.