Johnnie Walker, legendary radio presenter, dies at 79

Popular radio presenter Johnnie Walker, a former pirate radio DJ who began his career with the BBC in 1969, has died aged 79. After a career spanning almost 60 years, the veteran DJ announced his retirement from the airwaves in October of last year. It followed his diagnosis with a terminal illness.

- ROISIN O'CONNOR

His wife, Tiggy Walker, said she “couldn’t be more proud” of her husband and “how he kept broadcasting almost to the end”. She praised the “dignity and grace [with which] 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,” she said in a statement. “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.”

BBC director general Tim Davie described Walker as a “pop radio pioneer and champion of great music”, adding: “No one loved the audience as much as Johnnie, and we loved him back.”

Radio 2’s Tony Blackburn said it was “a very sad loss because he was such a great broadcaster and a good friend as well”.

It fell to presenter Bob Harris, who took over BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 70s show after Walker’s retirement, to announce his former colleague’s death. Harris described him as “an incredible, warm, superb broadcaster” who “went out on a limb many times to defend the music that he loved”, adding that Walker was “passionate about radio”.

Harris also read out a tribute from Shaun Keaveny, who took over from Walker as presenter of The Rock Show. Keaveny described him as ”a rebel, a soul searcher and a seeker, a rocker, a phenomenal broadcaster”. He added: “He absolutely lived life to the limit. It was a total privilege to have worked with him. So glad you’re there live, Bob – we’re all listening.”