Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker, 79, reveals he is stepping down from his BBC Radio 2 shows as he continues to live with terminal illness which has left him completely housebound
As I read this heart-wrenching tale of Tiggy and Johnnie, I find myself deeply moved by their unwavering resilience and love for each other. Their journey through life has been marked not just by the highs of success, but also by the lows of illness, yet they continue to stand tall, side by side.
Legendary disc jockey, Johnnie Walker, has announced his retirement from his BBC Radio 2 programs due to a terminal illness that confines him to his home.
During the broadcast today, a heartfelt tribute was made when the 79-year-old shared a letter from a viewer whose father had been an avid fan of the show before his passing in 2022 due to pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that also affects Johnnie.
Later on, he informed his audience that he’s chosen to conclude his long-standing career, which spans over 58 years.
He mentioned that maintaining both the challenges of hosting the program and preserving a radio-friendly professional image, appropriate for Radio 2, has become increasingly tougher for him.
“On the 27th of October, it will be my final Sounds of the 70s show. Therefore, I intend to put extra effort into making the last three episodes as exceptional as I can.
Johnnie added: ‘By the way, I’m excited to share that not just my final episode of Sounds of the 70s is coming up, but starting from the 3rd of November, the show will be hosted by none other than Bob Harris.’
On this coming Friday, the 25th of October, catch the last broadcast of The Rock Show with your favorite DJ from 11 PM to midnight. And don’t miss his farewell show for Sounds of the 70s on Sunday, the 27th of October, airing from 3 PM to 5 PM.
The long-time BBC Radio broadcaster who started his career on pirate station Radio Caroline, has been suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis – an inflammation of the lungs – for the past four years.
He has been left housebound and needing round-the-clock care since January.
I’ve been part of the broadcasting landscape for over five decades, and my time at the BBC, which began in April 1969, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now, as I bid farewell, it feels like the end of an era – one marked by the joy and camaraderie that comes from being a beloved figure on the radio waves.
70’s Classics and Nostalgia: This beloved collection takes you back to the lively ’70s with timeless tunes and heartfelt reminiscences. Rock Spectrum, on the other hand, offers a diverse range of rock music genres, spotlighting both legendary and rising artists in the field.
Johnnie’s contributions to radio have been significant, with a career spanning several decades.
People are undoubtedly going to feel his absence, and there’s a sense of curiosity about who will step into the shoes of the influential shows he used to host.
The announcement to step back comes just weeks after it was revealed that he has become so unwell that he has been completely housebound since January, with wife Tiggy acting as his round-the-clock carer.
A New Year’s Eve visit to Wogan House in London for a broadcast had disastrous consequences, causing him to be a homebody ever since, as reported by his wife.
As a seasoned broadcaster and longtime producer, Tiggy now plays the role of a full-time caregiver for her spouse. Their lives have undergone such a dramatic transformation that they are virtually unrecognizable.
In Dorset Magazine, she penned down: ‘I thought he’d be fatigued the following day, yet events took an unexpected turn. His exertion had exceeded his already ill physique, leaving his health in a precarious state, resembling a sudden plunge from a cliff.’
Afterward, the subsequent weeks became an indistinct whirlwind of nurses, physicians, oxygen equipment, and wheelchairs. Within just one day, our lives underwent a complete transformation beyond recognition.
‘That was in January, and The Pirate has not left home since then, I am a carer 24/7.’
She mentioned that her husband had recorded his Radio 2 shows while wearing pajamas, seated in a wheelchair, and receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula.
Toggy expressed that the situation she encountered was incredibly deep-rooted, leaving her feeling utterly swamped by the extent of help required from him, the meager resources at her disposal, and the growing similarity between their residence and a healthcare facility.
I, being a devoted wife, have had the responsibility of caring for my husband before, back in 2003, shortly after our honeymoon. At that time, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his colon.
Johnnie then had to care for his wife when, in 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
However, she stated that at present, she is two decades older and often feels drained at day’s end. As a supporter of Carers UK, she expressed noticeable changes in the care and assistance provided to carers since her initial experience, which resulted in a type of PTSD that persisted throughout her marriage.
‘The good change is that the medics, friends and family alike ask how I am,’
Everyone keeps advising me to take care of myself. In fact, the doctor’s office suggested counseling, but who has the time for that?
She expressed that she’s no longer just a background figure as a caregiver; she’s also a person with her own needs, not just a “lucky” wife. She pointed out that Johnnie gives his best to his listeners every week, during Sunday’s Sounds of the 70s and Friday’s The Radio 2 Rock Show, emphasizing that this is how it should be. Furthermore, she mentioned with pride that he manages to record his show each week despite being such a significant part of their lives for so long.
As a devoted supporter, I take pride in my resilience, drawing inner fortitude to stand by his side unwaveringly.
After my caregiving responsibilities cease, my life will undergo a significant transformation. However, I try to suppress such thoughts.
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2024-10-06 18:49