Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker has revealed he is quitting his BBC Radio 2 shows as he continues to live with a terminal illness that has left him completely housebound.
In a moving message, the 79-year-old read out a letter on today’s show from a listener whose father had enjoyed the show but had died in 2022 from pulmonary fibrosis, the condition Johnnie has.
He then told his listeners that he had made the decision to end his career after 58 years.
“The struggles I’ve had doing the show and trying to uphold a professional standard suitable for Radio 2 are becoming increasingly difficult,” he added.
“So on October 27th I’m doing my last Sounds of the 70s, so I’ll make the last three shows as good as I can.”
Johnnie continued, “And by the way, not only can I reveal my latest Sounds of the 70s, but the person who takes over the show will be the one and only Bob Harris, so Bob Harris will be in charge of Sounds of the 70s. from November 3.’
DJ’s final episode of The Rock Show airs on Friday, October 25 from 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and his final episode of Sounds of the 70s airs on Sunday, October 27 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The long time BBC Radio announcer who started his career at pirate station Radio Caroline has been suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung infection, for four years.
He has been homebound since January and requires 24-hour care.
His departure marks the end of an era as he has been a much-loved figure in the radio world since joining the BBC in April 1969.