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Former BBC Radio 2 DJ dies at the age of 79
Radio presenter Johnnie Walker has been described as a “broadcasting legend” following his loss of life aged 79.
The DJ died on Tuesday, two months after calling time on his 58-year radio profession due to unwell well being.
Presenter Bob Harris, who took over BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 70s present after Walker’s retirement, introduced his former colleague’s loss of life stay on the station.
Harris described him as “an unimaginable, heat, excellent broadcaster” who “went out on a limb many instances to defend the music that he beloved, and he was keen about radio”.
Walker had pulmonary fibrosis, which is scarring of the lungs, a situation which makes respiratory tough.
He stepped down from presenting Sounds of the 70s and the Rock Present, 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 model of presenting ensured he was adored by his viewers,” she stated.
“The airwaves merely will not be the identical once more. He will likely be very a lot missed by Radio 2 presenters, employees and listeners alike, and our ideas are along with his spouse Tiggy and his kids.”
Tiggy Walker stated she “could not be extra proud” of her husband and “how he stored broadcasting nearly to the tip, and with what dignity and charm he coped along with his debilitating lung illness”.
“He remained his charming, humorous self to the tip, what a robust superb man. It has been a rollercoaster journey from begin to end,” she stated.
“And if I’ll say – what a day to go. He’ll be celebrating New 12 months’s Eve with a stash of nice musicians in heaven. One 12 months on from his final stay present. God bless that extraordinary 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 present from 1999 to 2006, stated he was “such an important broadcaster”.
“[He was] actually nice in the way in which that he introduced, he had an important voice, he knew his music inside out, he was the actual deal,” she stated.
“It was very unhappy to see the way in which he misplaced his voice in direction of the tip, however he nonetheless had that enthusiasm and that love of the music.”
Radio 2’s Tony Blackburn stated it was “a really unhappy loss as a result of he was such an important broadcaster and pal as nicely”.
On his present on Tuesday, Harris recalled being buddies with Walker for the reason that Nineteen Sixties, and stated that they had been exchanging texts not too long ago after he took over Sounds of the 70s.
“He wished me nicely for the primary programme I did… ‘The listeners are beautiful they usually’ll take care of you.'”
Harris additionally learn out a tribute from Shaun Keaveny, who took over the Rock Present from Walker.
Keaveny described him as “a insurgent, a soul searcher and a seeker, a rocker, an exceptional broadcaster”.
“He completely lived life to the restrict. It was a complete privilege to have labored with him,” he stated.
Radio 1 breakfast present host Greg James additionally despatched a message to Harris. “My dad and I are sitting right here listening to you. Such unhappy information, however radio is the best group at instances like these,” he wrote.
Former Radio 2 host Ken Bruce wrote on social media: “So sorry to listen to the information in regards to the nice Johnnie Walker. Not solely was he a beautiful broadcaster but in addition a person of nice private power and kindness.”
Radio 2 presenter Elaine Paige stated she was “so very unhappy” to listen to of Walker’s loss of life. “My deepest condolences to his spouse Tiggy and his household. He will likely be so deeply missed by everybody,” she added.
Radio 5 Dwell’s Nicky Campbell posted on X: “Goodbye Johnnie. Candy and sensible man. I’m so fortunate to have recognized you. You have been an inspiration.”
‘Heads held excessive’
Walker had introduced stay on air in October that he could be hanging up his microphone to retire.
He defined the rationale after studying out a letter from a listener whose dad had beloved the present, however had handed away in 2022 attributable to pulmonary fibrosis.
“Now, that leads me to be making a really unhappy announcement,” he stated.
“The struggles I’ve had with doing the present and attempting to kind of sustain knowledgeable customary appropriate for Radio 2 has been getting increasingly tough, therefore my little jokes about Puffing Billy, so I’ve needed to make the choice that I have to convey my profession to an finish.”
Walker’s final episode of The Rock Present aired on 25 October, and his ultimate episode of Sounds of the 70s was broadcast on 27 October.
On the finish of his ultimate present, Walker stated: “[It’s] going to be very unusual to not be on the wi-fi anymore. Additionally, by the identical token, life will likely be barely much less of a pressure actually, looking for the breath as a way to do the programmes.
“Thanks for being with me all these years and take excellent care of your self and people you’re keen on, and should we stroll into the long run with our heads held excessive 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 was recruited by BBC Radio 1 in 1969, after which joined Radio 2 in 1997, the place he remained till his retirement.
On his lunchtime Radio 1 present, which launched in 1971, he championed names like Steve Harley, Lou Reed, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Steely Dan.
He additionally frolicked residing in California within the Seventies earlier than returning residence within the 80s, rejoining Radio 1 in 1987. He additionally introduced exhibits for Radio 5 Dwell.
In 2003, whereas host of Radio 2’s drivetime slot, Walker had chemotherapy and emergency surgical procedure for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and advised listeners on the time he had “died” thrice on the working desk.
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