Veteran BBC Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker has signed off his final episode of Sounds of the 70s, ending a 58-year career on the airwaves. The 79-year-old broadcaster announced earlier this month that he was stepping down due to ill health, having been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a severe respiratory condition that makes breathing difficult.
Walker, who has regularly broadcast from his home in Dorset because of his illness, used his final show to reflect on changes in the radio industry. He noted that many presenters now come from television backgrounds, which he believes does not automatically translate to radio talent. 'We're in the age of celebrity,' he said.
Originally from Birmingham, Walker began his career on the pirate station Radio Caroline before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1969. He later spent time in San Francisco and returned to the BBC in the 1980s. Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, he expressed sadness at leaving his audience, describing the bond formed over decades of broadcasting.
For his final Sounds of the 70s show, Walker chose all the music himself, playing his personal favourites. He had already signed off from The Rock Show on Friday, encouraging listeners to tune in to his successor, Shaun Keaveny, from 1 November. He also thanked his producer, Liz Barnes, for her work on the show.
