Johnnie Walker's wife pays tribute to 'courageous, wise, strong' husband in emotional New Year's Eve tribute
The wife of renowned radio DJ Johnnie Walker has paid a lovely tribute to her late husband. The death of the 79-year-old was announced on Radio 2 on New Year's Eve by his friend Bob Harris, who took over presenting the station's Sounds of the 70s in November when Mr Walker ended his radio career.
Mrs Walker, a writer, producer, director and radio presenter, then posted a lovely tribute on X. It read: "What does a new widow do on NYE? She listens to BBC Radio 2, opens a bottle and toasts her amazing husband. Courageous, wise, strong, creative and never dull. They didn’t call him the Pirate for nothing. Above all - the most devoted loving husband. Pls raise a glass to Johnnie Walker".
The radio legend presented Radio 2’s Sounds of the 70s and the Radio 2 Rock Show after beginning his career as a pirate DJ in the 60s on the offshore station Swinging Radio England, then Radio Caroline, before joining Radio 1 in 1969. He left the station after describing the Bay City Rollers as "musical garbage" and clashing with bosses over an insistence on playing album tracks.
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After broadcasting in America, Mr Walker rejoined Radio 1 in 1987 to present a Saturday afternoon show, The Stereo Sequence, as well as working on other stations including Radio 5 (now 5 Live), before joining Radio 2, eventually taking on the drivetime slot. Get all the latest what's on news in Wales here.
He announced he had cancer in 2003, and in 2020 announced he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an inflammation of the lungs and was broadcasting from his home. You can read the details of his death here.
In a tribute at the time of his death, his wife 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 rollercoaster 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."
