December 31st 2024.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of veteran radio DJ and host of Sounds of The 70s, Johnnie Walker. Johnnie's wife, Tiggy Walker, shared the news of his passing at the age of 79 after a long battle with illness.
The news was first announced by fellow radio host Bob Harris on his show on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Johnnie had been in the radio industry for an impressive 58 years and had previously been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
His final Sounds of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 and his last episode of The Rock Show took place in October as he retired due to his declining health. In a touching tribute to her late husband, Tiggy said, "I couldn't be prouder of Johnnie and how he continued to broadcast almost until the end, with such dignity and grace despite his debilitating lung disease. He remained his charming, humorous self until the very end - what a strong and amazing man he was. It's been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and I can't help but think that he chose a fitting day to leave us - New Year's Eve. He'll be celebrating with all the great musicians up in heaven, one year after his last live show. Rest in peace, my extraordinary husband."
The news of Johnnie's passing has left his family and colleagues heartbroken. Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, also paid tribute to the legendary radio host, saying, "Everyone at Radio 2 is devastated by the loss of Johnnie, a beloved broadcasting legend. His shows, Sounds of The 70s and The Rock Show, were appointment listening for many, as he shared his personal memories and stories each week. He was passionate about radio and inspired a whole generation of presenters, using his platform to promote the artists and music he cared deeply about. Johnnie's wit and warm presenting style made him adored by his audience, and the airwaves simply won't be the same without him. Our thoughts are with his wife Tiggy and his children during this difficult time."
Born in Birmingham in 1945, Johnnie left school at the age of 15 to train as a mechanic. He started his career in radio in 1965 on a pirate radio station and later worked on another pirate radio boat off the coast of Essex. He also consulted on the 2009 film The Boat That Rocked, which was based on a fictional pirate radio station. In 1969, he joined BBC Radio 1, hosting a Saturday afternoon show. Throughout his career, Johnnie was known for his outspoken nature and for helping launch the careers of many bands into the mainstream.
Johnnie was previously married to Frances Kum, with whom he had a daughter, Beth, and a son, Sam. After their divorce, he married Tiggy Jarvis in December 2002. Johnnie faced many health challenges throughout his life, including surviving cancer, a burst intestine, a heart attack, and a triple bypass. In June 2024, he revealed on a special episode of Sounds of The 70s that his idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was terminal and getting progressively worse. In his final years, Tiggy took on the role of his carer as Johnnie used an oxygen machine and was wheelchair-bound.
In an interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year, Johnnie spoke about his terminal illness and his lack of fear towards death. He said, "I'm not afraid of dying. I have a strong belief in an afterlife, and I think it's a beautiful place. Unless you've done terrible things in your life, I don't think there's anything to fear. What does concern me is the process of dying, the struggle for breath. It doesn't sound like a pleasant way to go."
Earlier this year, Johnnie announced his retirement, saying, "The struggles I've had with doing the show and trying to maintain a professional standard suitable for Radio 2 have become increasingly difficult, hence my jokes about Puffing Billy. I've had to make the decision to bring my career to an end after 58 years." He added that he would do his best to make his final show as good as possible.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Tiggy opened up about her plans for the future after Johnnie's passing. She said, "I can't imagine what life will be like without Johnnie, but I'll also be in charge of my own life again. A part of me is excited about that. But there will be no one after Johnnie. How could anyone follow him?"
During his final show on the airwaves, Johnnie expressed his gratitude to his listeners, saying, "Here we are at the end of a 15-year run on Sunday afternoon's Sounds of The 70s and 58 years on British radio. It's going to be strange not being on the radio anymore, but at the same time, life will be less of a strain without trying to find the breath to do shows. Thank you for being with me all these years, and take care of yourself and your loved ones. Let's walk into the future with our heads held high and happiness in our hearts. Rest in peace, Johnnie."
If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, please get in touch with our entertainment team at The Agency. You can email us, call 020 3615 2145, or visit our Submit Stuff page. We'd love to hear from you.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
