Movies

BBC Radio 2 star announces retirement amid health battle

BBG News

As a long-time fan and admirer of Johnnie Walker, hearing about his retirement has left me with a mix of emotions. The man who introduced me to some of my favorite tunes from the ’70s and kept the spirit of rock alive on Radio 2 is stepping down due to health issues.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Johnnie Walker has announced his retirement due to his health issues.

Four years back, the veteran DJ received a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which has since progressed into a terminal illness. Now, Johnnie requires constant care and is presenting “Sounds of the 70s” and “The Rock Show” remotely due to his condition.

Yesterday on “Sounds of the 70s,” Johnnie publicly declared his intention to retire by the end of this month.

He shared that maintaining both the demands of the show and adhering to a high-quality, radio-friendly standard appropriate for Radio 2 has become increasingly challenging for him.

After a long, remarkable journey spanning 58 years, I’ve come to the point where I must conclude my career. On October 27th, that chapter will close as I present my final episode of “Sounds of the 70s”.

He stated his intention to make his final three shows “as good as I possibly can”.

Prior to unveiling his statement, Johnnie took the time to read aloud a letter penned by a fan who tragically lost their father to an unknown lung disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2022. This illness leads to a progressive thickening and hardening of the lungs’ tissue, causing increasing breathing difficulties, typically affecting individuals in their 70s.

At the present time, there’s no known remedy available. However, certain interventions can temporarily halt or decrease the progression.

A message on the BBC Radio 2’s Instagram page stated, “We’re sending lots of affection to Johnnie Walker as he announced his decision to leave Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show at the end of this month.

70s sounds play every Sunday at 3 PM on BBC Radio 2, whereas The Rock Show is broadcast Fridays at 11 PM on the same channel. You can catch both shows, including their past episodes, by streaming them on demand via BBC Sounds.

Read More

2024-10-07 14:18

Previous post Tensions rise on The Block between Grant and House One’s builder as he tries to steal trades from Maddy and Charlotte after refusing to help them
Next post Benson surprises Price and Maroun in Law & Order Season 24, Episode 2 (Preview)