Radio DJ Johnnie Walker has died at the age of 79 just months after hosting his final BBC Radio 2 Sounds Of The 70s show

Johnnie Walker has died at the age of 79, it has been announced.

The veteran radio DJ presented his final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 in October and hosted his last episode of The Rock Show after needing to retire because of ill health.

He had announced in early October his retirement plans after 58 years on the radio. He had been previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

His death was announced on air by his friend and colleague, BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, who took over presenting Sounds of the 70s in November.

Tributes poured in for Johnnie following the announcement. His wife, Tiggy, said: “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. He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.

Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker has died ( 
Image:
Press Association)
“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.”

Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music, also said: “Johnnie was a truly wonderful broadcaster, and a devoted music fan. There was nothing he loved more than introducing new artists, such as The Eagles, Rod Stewart, Lou Reed and Elton John in the early 70s on his Radio 1 show which attracted millions of listeners. We’re incredibly lucky to have had such a unique presenter as Johnnie on the BBC airwaves for so long.”

Tim Davie, BBC Director General, added: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Johnnie’s passing and our thoughts are with his family and friends, as well as everyone at Radio 2.

“Johnnie was a pop radio pioneer and a champion of great music, entertaining millions of beloved listeners on the BBC across decades, most recently hosting two shows on Radio 2. No-one loved the audience as much as Johnnie, and we loved him back.”

Johnnie Walker at work in his studio, September 1970. ( 
Image:
Popperfoto via Getty Images)
And Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, noted: “Everyone at Radio 2 is heartbroken about the passing of Johnnie, a much loved broadcasting legend. He made Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show appointments to listen to, sharing his personal memories and tales each week. He loved radio and inspired a generation of presenters, passionately promoting the artists and music he cared about so deeply.

“Johnnie’s wry sense of humour and his warm, open style of presenting ensured he was adored by his audience. The airwaves simply won’t be the same again. He will be very much missed by Radio 2 presenters, staff and listeners alike, and our thoughts are with his wife Tiggy and his children.”

Fans of Johnnie’s were quick to pay their respects online too, with Twitter/X users sharing messages of condolence. One user penned: “Aw RIP Johnnie Walker. Loved his ‘Sounds Of The 70s’ show a lot,” while another wrote: “Sad news re the death of Johnnie Walker. A communicator that delivered exactly what his audience expected.

“Warm, knowledgeable & never afraid to tell it how it was to those in power that thought they knew how the magic of radio worked. The end of a golden era.”

Ken Bruce also took to the platform to say: “So sorry to hear the news about the great Johnnie Walker. Not only was he a wonderful broadcaster but also a man of great personal strength and kindness.”

Colleague Elaine Paige also wrote: “So very sad to hear my @BBCRadio2 colleague Johnny Walker has died. My deepest condolences to his wife Tiggy and his family. He will be so deeply missed by everyone. RIP dear Johnnie.”

Johnnie was born in Birmingham and left school at the age of 15 to train to become a mechanic, later taking a job as a car salesman. He found an outlet for his passion for music with a Friday night slot as a disco DJ under the name Peter Dee.

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 BBC Radio 1 and remained there until 1976. He then moved to San Francisco, where he recorded a weekly show broadcast on Radio Luxembourg.

Returning to the UK in the 80s, Johnnie presented Radio 1’s Saturday Stereo Sequence. After working on various BBC stations, he left Radio 1 for good in 1995 and three years later he was offered his own weekly show on Radio 2, before taking over Drivetime.

Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker with Sir Elton John in 2004 ( 
Image:
PA Archive/PA Images)He earned a reputation as a DJ who accorded more importance to the records he played than the chat between tracks, with names he pioneered including Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles.

Johnnie later presented two shows on Radio 2 – Sounds of the 70s, from April 2009, and The Rock Show, which he launched in 2018 with his first guest Ozzy Osbourne.

Johnnie’s last episode of The Rock Show aired on Friday October 25, and his final episode of Sounds of the 70s aired two days later on Sunday October 27. His final words on the show were: “Walk into the future with our heads held high, and happiness in our hearts.”

It wasn’t the first time he had said his goodbyes to listeners, either. He once quit his Radio 1 show after being told he would have to play tracks from the Bay City Rollers – his pet hate. He was also sacked from the BBC’s London radio station GLR after celebrating Margaret Thatcher being forced from No10. And he was also once forced off his US Radio Station after his guests, The Sex Pistols, said the radio’s name, KSAN, sounded like a lavatory cleaner.

In October 2003, Walker underwent chemotherapy and an emergency operation for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Speaking to listeners live on his show, he revealed that he “died” on the operating table three times during surgery to repair his burst intestine. The condition IPF is one “in which 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 at which it worsens, but that there is “currently no treatment that can stop or reverse the scarring of the lungs”.

Radio 2 has revealed it will be paying tribute to Johnnie today in shows and also in the New Year. A collection of programmes showcasing Johnnie’s life and career will also be made available in BBC Sounds.