Johnnie Walker’s wife says she is ‘proud’ of his career after his death at 79
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Veteran radio DJ Johnnie Walker’s wife Tiggy has said she “couldn’t be more proud of” her husband, after he died at the age of 79. Walker’s 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.
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 roller-coaster ride from start to finish.
“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.”. At the end of October, he presented his final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 and hosted his last episode of The Rock Show as he retired due to ill health.
Announcing his death on the show after playing David Bowie’s Golden Years, Harris said: “I’ve known Johnnie since the 1960s when I first started listening to him on pirate radio and we know what an incredible, wonderful, superb broadcaster he was.
“We also know how passionate he was about his music, went out on a limb many times to defend the music that he loved and he was passionate about radio, and as the 60s moved into the 70s he and I became increasingly close friends, a friendship that endured right up to the present day.
