Tune stars amongst mourners at DJ’s funeral

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, in addition to former BBC Radio 2 colleagues of Johnnie Walker, had been some of the mourners on the overdue DJ’s funeral.

The veteran disc jockey’s demise elderly 79 was once introduced by way of his good friend and fellow Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris in December.

Former colleagues Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine and Tony Blackburn had been amongst the ones attending the provider at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset.

Plant paid tribute to Walker in December, announcing he was once “a defender and gatekeeper of significant musical style”.

He added Walker was once “a fab, sort guy who stored the bar prime for all folks who cherished him”.

Walker retired from his Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 70s and The Rock Display because of in poor health well being final October after being recognized with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

He started his radio profession in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, prior to transferring to Radio Caroline.

In 1969 he was once recruited by way of BBC Radio 1 after which joined Radio 2 in 1997 the place he remained till his retirement.

It was once on Sounds of the 70s that the programme’s new host Harris introduced his good friend’s demise on New Yr’s Eve.

Additionally in attendance on Friday had been BBC and ITV sports activities presenter John Inverdale, former BBC presenter Suzi Perry, radio host Paul Gambaccini and Inexperienced Wing superstar Pippa Haywood.

Prog-rock icon Rick Wakeman carried out a rendition of his observe Long gone However No longer Forgotten – which he additionally performed on the memorial of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.

Wakeman stated in a publish on X on Thursday that he was once “very proud” Walker’s spouse Tiggy, who cared for him all through his lung illness situation and helped with generating his radio display at house, had requested him to accomplish on the funeral.

Tiggy paid tribute to her husband on 31 December, announcing he remained his “fascinating, funny self to the tip”.

“Bless that peculiar husband of mine, who’s now in a spot of peace,” she added.