Johnnie Walker, the esteemed BBC radio presenter, has revealed that he will retire from broadcasting after an impressive 58-year career, citing health concerns as the reason for his departure. The 79-year-old will conclude his tenure as host of Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show on BBC Radio 2 at the end of this month.
Walker made the announcement during a live broadcast on Sunday, expressing his commitment to making his final shows “as good as I possibly can.”
He has been battling pulmonary fibrosis, a condition characterized by scarring of the lungs, which has increasingly hindered his ability to breathe. During the emotional segment, he shared a poignant letter from a listener whose father, a fan of the show, had passed away from the same illness in 2022.
“Now, that leads me to be making a very sad announcement,” Walker said. “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, so I’ve had to make the decision that I need to bring my career to an end.”
Walker’s radio journey began in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, before he moved to Radio Caroline. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969 and made the transition to Radio 2 in 1997, where he has remained a beloved figure ever since.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, paid tribute to Walker, calling him a “broadcasting legend.” She stated, “Everyone at Radio 2, and I’m sure his millions of listeners, would like to thank Johnnie for entertaining us for so many decades with his brilliantly crafted shows. He will be much missed on the airwaves and by his listeners, who have adored listening to his shows over the years.”
Bob Harris will succeed Walker on Sounds of the 70s, while Shaun Keaveny will take over The Rock Show. Harris expressed his pride and honor in stepping into Walker’s role, stating, “I will do everything I can to maintain his legacy and curate the programme with the very best music from that incredible decade.”
Keaveny, who has hosted various shows on BBC Radio 6 Music and previously filled in for Walker, described him as one of his “ultimate radio heroes.” He added, “I am not sure how I am going to get through the week without hearing him, and his place in radio legend is assured.”
Walker’s final episode of The Rock Show is scheduled to air on October 25, followed by his last Sounds of the 70s broadcast two days later.
