Johnnie Walker’s health battle that forced BBC radio legend off air after 58 years Radio legend Johnnie Walker struggled with lung disease before his death aged 79.
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.
The BBC radio star was forced to step down from the broadcaster after 58 years in October due to his ill health.
"The struggles I’ve had with doing the show and trying to sort of keep up a professional standard suitable for Radio 2 has been getting more and more difficult, hence my little jokes about Puffing Billy.
He was known for his decades-long work on BBC Radio 2 and for his Sounds Of The 70s and the Rock Show programmes.
