Johnnie Walker confirmed the end of an era on Sunday after announcing his departure from BBC Radio 1, some 55-years after making his debut.
London was swinging, Carnaby Street was the epicentre of cool and Johnnie Walker was just 24-years old when he hosted his first two-hour Saturday show with the broadcasting giant in April 1969.
But he will now draw a line under his lengthy association with the BBC, aged 79, after admitting his battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and progressive illness that affects the respiratory system, has left him with just weeks to live.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is typically characterised by the thickening and stiffening of lung tissue, the formation of scar tissue and a progressive and irreversible decline in lung function.
Symptoms include a gradual shortness of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, and abnormally large or dome shaped finger and toenails.
Johnnie Walker confirmed the end of an era on Sunday after announcing his departure from BBC Radio 1, some 55-years after making his debut.
London was swinging, Carnaby Street was the epicentre of cool and Johnnie Walker was just 24-years old when he hosted his first two-hour Saturday show with the BBC in April 1969 (pictured in 1976)
Addressing listeners on Sunday, he 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.
‘So I’ll be doing my last Sounds Of The 70s on the 27th of October, so I’ll make the last three shows as good as I possibly can’.
He added: ‘And by the way, I can also reveal not only my last Sounds Of The 70s, but the person taking over the show will be the one and only Bob Harris, so Bob Harris will be in charge of Sounds Of The 70s from the 3rd of November.’
The DJ’s last episode of The Rock Show will air on Friday, October 25 (11pm to 12am), and his final episode of Sounds Of The 70s will air on Sunday, October 27 (3pm to 5pm).
Walker’s imminent exit marks the loss of another high-profile DJ from BBC Radio, with former stalwarts Tony Blackburn, Clara Amfo, Claudia Winkleman, Andrew Peach and Ken Bruce having previously announced their departures.
Elsewhere BBC Wales presenter Carol Vorderman was sacked by the broadcaster for breaching strict social media guidelines following a series of online rants about former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Tory government.
Walker has been suffering from Idiopathic Pulminary Fibrosis for the past four years – but has been left housebound and needing round the clock care since January.
In June, the radio personality brought listeners to tears as he thanked his wife Tiggy for ‘saving his life’ after he was diagnosed with cancer immediately after returning from their honeymoon in India around 20 years ago.
But he will now draw a line under his lengthy association with the BBC, aged 79, after admitting his battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and progressive illness that affects the respiratory system, has left him with just weeks to live
He said: ‘I’ve only got a finite amount of time left here in the physical, before I pass over. It’s a very reflective time for us.
‘Here we are at the end of my life when you’re having to care for me all over again. You definitely saved my life when I went through cancer, I’m positive I wouldn’t have made it without you.
‘Your love was just so sustaining, it gave me so much to look forward to. And your caring for me now makes my life so much better.’
He revealed they now sleep in separate rooms as he constantly relies on oxygen tanks and an oxygen machine to keep breathing.
‘Obviously we’re in separate rooms because the oxygen machine is quite noisy, it would keep Tiggy awake. She has to wonder whether I’m still going to be alive in the morning which must be very hard for her.’
Speaking about his approaching death, Walker revealed he has faith there is another world awaiting him, but confessed he is scared of how he might pass away.
He said: ‘The illness I’m dealing with is a fibrosis of the lungs so they gradually become more and more scarred, and less and less able to do their job of sending oxygen around the body and into my bloodstream.
‘So I do worry about becoming more and more breathless and suffocating as a way of dying.’
He continued: ‘I think there’s a world there and they’ve referred to it very often as the other side of the veil. I think it’s so close to the world in which we live but it’s at a much higher vibration, so it’s invisible.
‘I’m more interested of the people I might meet. There was the most beautiful little dog who was in our life for 14 years called D’arcey, and I adored her, and I think it was mutual, she adored me, I think she might be there with tail wagging, it would be lovely to see her again.’
Walker’s departure comes after Tony Blackburn announced his BBC London show was coming to an end in December 2023
The radio DJ took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the news that he will be leaving his BBC Radio London show as he said it is ‘time to move on’
Walker’s departure comes after Tony Blackburn announced his BBC London show was coming to an end in December 2023.
The radio DJ took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the news that he was leaving his BBC Radio London show because it is ‘time to move on’.
Blackburn clarified that he will still be continuing with his two BBC Radio 2 shows as well as other BBC shows – including Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour – despite stepping down from BBC Radio London.
Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – he announced: ‘Hi everyone, just thought I’d let you know that after many happy years on @BBCRadioLondon I have decided to leave the station and this Sunday will be my last Soul On Sunday.
‘Over the years we have had a lot of fun with some fantastic live shows for Children in Need and have played some great music.
‘I will still be continuing @BBCBerkshire @BBCOxford and @BBCRadioSolent on Sunday afternoon and off course on the great @BBCRadio2.
‘This is totally my decision and thanks to the many happy years there, but time to move on. Thanks for listening.’
Clara Amfo also quit her presenting job on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds that December
The DJ, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 with Aljaz Skorjanec, issued a statement and shared a post of her in the recording studio on Instagram
In a follow-up post, the star thanked his ‘kind’ fans for their messages following his news and teased some other exciting shows he has lined up.
He wrote: Thanks very much for all your lovely messages today you really are very kind. I look forward to playing lots of Soul Music for you in the future, in fact coming up on @BBCRadio2.
‘I have two Sounds Of Soul shows on December 26th at 12pm and on New Years Day also at 12pm, so the great music goes on and I hope you will join me.’
A BBC Spokesperson said: ‘Tony has been a huge part of BBC Radio London for a long time and we’d like to thank him for everything he has done for the station.
‘He very much remains a valued part of the wider BBC Radio family and will continue to broadcast as usual across BBC Radio Berkshire, Oxford & Solent, and nationally on his BBC Radio 2 show at the weekend.’
Clara Amfo also quit her presenting job on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds that December.
The DJ, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 with Aljaz Skorjanec, issued a statement and shared a post of her in the recording studio on Instagram.
She wrote: ‘With immense gratitude and thought given, I have made the choice to say goodbye to Future Sounds on @bbcradio1.
‘I’ll save the long paragraphs (cos you know I love ’em!) for my final show but for now, I will say I’m so proud of the work I’ve been able to do on every type show over the years from the 8th floor, up and down UK and random pop stars houses!
‘I’m grateful to have had the ears of the listeners who have consistently shown up for me.
‘I’m enamoured by every production team I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for each and every broadcast.
‘I’m so honoured by the incredible artists and their hardworking teams who have chosen the show to share their work and intimate thoughts, constantly providing one of the most precious things we all need to keep going in this wild world.
‘I’m energised and excited for my next chapter as part of the network and beyond! See you at 6pm Clara x’.
Claudia Winkleman also announced she will be quitting her Radio 2 show after 15 years on air (pictured in 2017)
The presenter admitted she wishes to spend more time with her children. Her final show was broadcast in March, after which she was replaced by Romesh Ranganathan from April
Claudia Winkleman also announced she will be quitting her Radio 2 show after 15 years on air.
The presenter, shared the news with her listeners during her show admitting she wishes to spend more time with her children.
Claudia’s final show was broadcast in March, after which she was be replaced by Romesh Ranganathan from April.
The media personality explained how it had been an ‘absolute privilege’ to host the show as she thanked her listeners.
She began: ‘I would love to share mind, firstly, I’m going to say it out loud and with vim, I love Radio 2.
‘It is an absolute privilege to be here every Saturday, chatting to amazing guests, being with Sally and mainly read your fantastic messages.
‘But here’s the thing and it is such a boring cliché so I apologise. Time is going too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was 3 about 5 minutes ago.
‘I still have a little one who wants to be with me. I don’t know how long that will last and I just need to be at home more.
‘So my news at 10 is that I am leaving – but I have two pieces of exceptional news. One – the person taking over is one of the funniest and smartest people on earth.
‘We are going to love listening to him every Saturday at 10. Think of this if you will as an early Christmas present.
‘The one and only Romesh Ranganathan is going to be here from April and he is majestic.
‘Number two, the second piece of good news, is before I leave in March the bosses have said I can play, and I’m unapologetic about this, an obscene amount of this.’
Just two days after Claudia’s exit, beloved BBC radio presenter Andrew Peach also hung up his headphones after 31 years working at the corporation
In his X announcement, Andrew shared a series of images, including shots showing his first BBC headshot and a meeting with the Queen
The star hosted BBC Radio Berkshire’s breakfast show, which he branded The Peach Show, for 18 years having previously worked elsewhere at the Beeb
That same week, beloved BBC radio presenter Andrew Peach also hung up his headphones after 31 years working at the corporation.
The star hosted BBC Radio Berkshire’s breakfast show, which he branded The Peach Show, for 18 years having previously worked elsewhere at the Beeb.
He worked on a number of high profile stories, including the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and also interviewed Prime Minister Teresa May.
Reflecting on his career, Andrew said: ‘I’ve broadcast from Washington, Prague and Dusseldorf – and I’ve endured the ups and downs of being a Reading FC fan through countless play-off final defeats and our promotion to the Premier League in 2006…
‘This job has been the greatest privilege. Daily radio shows like this are, above all, a relationship. A warm and authentic relationship with the audience…
‘We’ve chosen to spend time together day after day, month after month, year after year. That relationship is so precious and I know I will miss it desperately…
‘The programme has brought people together, applied a bit of pressure here and there and meant that, from time to time, we’ve changed things for the better…
‘Although it’s time for me to find some new mountains to climb, I am so grateful to have enjoyed more than 30 years in my dream job.’
Ken Bruce also jumped ship from the BBC after 45 years for commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio, declaring: ‘I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2’
Ken revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become ‘bitter and entrenched
Ken Bruce also jumped ship from the BBC after 45 years for commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio, declaring: ‘I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2’.
At the time the Scottish broadcaster said ‘the time is right’ for him to move on from the weekday mid-morning show he’s presented since 1986 – with just a two year gap between 1990 and 1992 – having first walked into the corporation in 1977.
In January, he informed his 9million listeners he was leaving, but insisted he is not retiring, but heading into commercial radio and taking his much-loved PopMaster quiz with him.
But in September 2023 Ken revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become ‘bitter and entrenched’, saying: ‘It was a long time and I thought I’m doing the same thing every day.
‘There was a point of saying that I can’t enthuse over all the new music I’m having to play as much as I could over the old music. And I didn’t want to get to the stage where I was badmouthing some of the music [or] pretending to like it.’
He added: ‘I certainly did think I’ve got a bit more to offer. I didn’t want to be declining over the next three or four years and still doing the same show, but everybody around me getting younger and thinking, “Am I the old bloke in the corner here?”
Carol Vorderman was axed by BBC Radio Wales for breaching the broadcaster’s new social media guidelines
The BBC brought in new social media rules for its presenters preventing high-profile stars from attacking political parties and individual politicians as well as weighing into controversial issues before elections or referendums
‘I was the youngster on the station and then almost overnight I became the veteran, and I didn’t want to become the old grump in the corner saying ‘things aren’t what they used to be’, or [to] any new idea say, “No, we tried that, didn’t work”, which does happen. I just felt I would get more bitter and entrenched.’
Ken then claimed BBC bosses terminated his contract early, stating he intended to work right up until the end of March 2023, but his final show aired March 3.
Taking to X. he wrote: ‘I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead.’
In response, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and it’s always been known he’s leaving in March.
‘Returning to Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions at Maida Vale provided a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future.’
His slot was taken over by Vernon Kay, but lost 1.4 million listeners in its first three months without Ken.
BBC Radio fans have repeatedly accused the network of ageism as the late Paul O’Grady, Steve Wright, Graham Norton and Simon Mayo all left and were replaced with a younger line-up in the last couple of years.
The month before his tragic death, O’Grady admitted: ‘Radio 2 has changed, it’s not what it was. They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1.’
THE BBC RADIO 2 PRESENTERS TO HANG UP THEIR HEADPHONES
Graham Norton – December 2020
Graham Norton seemingly kicked off the mass departure of BBC radio stars when he quit his Saturday morning slot.
The presenter began hosting his Radio 2 show in 2010, after Jonathan Ross left, but after a decade he left.
In a statement at the time, Graham said: ‘Obviously I’m sad to be stepping away from my Radio 2 show.
‘I’ll miss being a part of the Wogan House family, as well as the listeners and their lives.
‘I’d like to thank my producer Malcolm Prince and all the teams I’ve worked with for a great decade of radio.
‘Happily with the chat show, Eurovision and Drag Race the BBC continues to be my perfect TV home.’
The chat show host then joined Virgin Radio UK in 2021 to host shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Paul O’Grady – August 2022
Paul O’Grady hosted a Sunday show for 14 years on BBC Radio 2, but quit in August of last year.
The host was unhappy about being asked to share duties with Rob Beckett, 37, which saw the comedian taking over for two three-month stints each year.
He told fans: ‘And the reason I’m leaving because everybody’s asked me this. It’s because I wasn’t really happy with the 13 weeks on/13 weeks off business.
‘So, I did the honourable thing and I honoured my contract, gave my notice and now I’m off.’
Speaking to Metro in February, he admitted: ‘I was disappointed because I’m a great believer in continuity.
‘If you go off for 13 weeks and somebody else comes on, the listeners don’t know when you’re back on.’
He also questioned Radio 2’s desire to appeal to younger audiences, saying: ‘Radio 2 has changed, it’s not what it was.
‘They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1. Radio 2 was always for an older audience’.
Paul went on to join Boom Radio for a Christmas Day special and had been due to join the station permanently in May – however he tragically died in March at the age of 67.
Steve Wright – September 2022
Steve Wright presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2 for 23 years, before the show came to an end last year.
While he remained on the network, hosting Sunday Love Songs, along with a new Serious Jockin’ podcast, his afternoon show was replaced by a new show with Scott Mills.
Radio 2 fans deplored the decision with the BBC saying it was seeking to ‘try something different’.
As he exited Wogan House in July, Steve told reporters it was ‘nice of you to come over’, adding: ‘That’s the way it goes… You know, sometimes people want you, sometimes they don’t.
‘Sometimes they want to make changes, give you another offer, and that’s okay, I understand that, I really understand that.’
Craig Charles – June 2022
Craig Charles presented his show Craig Charles’ House Party on Saturdays from 10pm to midnight since 2014.
But his Radio 2 show was axed last summer, sparking uproar from fans.
Craig said in the announcement from the BBC: ‘Every party must come to an end and although I’m packing up my Trunk of Funk on Radio 2, I’ve loved bringing the party to its funky listeners each Saturday night.’
He continued with his how on BBC Radio 6 Music each weekday (1-4pm) and on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show (Saturday nights, 6-9pm).
Vanessa Feltz – July 2022
Vanessa Feltz quit BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio London after nearly 20 years on air in July last year.
Breaking down on her early morning breakfast show as she announced the news to her listeners, the star, 61, said she would ‘try not to cry’.
She said: ‘I have something to tell you, and I know you already know that I love you – oh I knew I was going to cry but I’m going to try not too…’
‘It has been an honour to share the early hours with you.’
However, Vanessa later claimed her exit was because she was a woman over the age of 60.
Speaking about Ken Bruce’s departure in January on This Morning, she said: ”I can’t speak for him but I imagine that it’s a feeling of some sense of ageism at the BBC.’
She claimed that older presenters are ‘not valued in the same way’, adding: ‘The music isn’t as appealing ’cause they’ve changed it to appeal to a younger crowd they’re so desperate to get.’
Ken Bruce – March 2023
Ken Bruce also jumped ship from the BBC after 45 years for commercial rival Greatest Hits Radio, declaring: ‘I’ve done everything it is possible to do at Radio 2’.
At the time the Scottish broadcaster, 72, said ‘the time is right’ for him to move on from the weekday mid-morning show he’s presented since 1986 – with just a two year gap between 1990 and 1992 – having first walked into the corporation in 1977.
In January, he informed his 9 million listeners he was leaving, but insisted he is not retiring, but heading into commercial radio and taking his much-loved PopMaster quiz with him.
But in September Ken revealed he decided to jump ship before he started to become ‘bitter and entrenched’, saying: ‘It was a long time and I thought I’m doing the same thing every day.’
His slot was then taken over by Vernon Kay, but lost 1.4 million listeners in its first three months without Ken.
Claudia Winkleman – March 2024
This month, Claudia Winkleman announced she will be quitting her Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over.
The presenter, 51, shared the news with her listeners during her show admitting she wishes to spend more time with her children.
She shares Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and Arthur, 11, with her film producer partner, Kris Thykier, 50, who she married in 2000.
Claudia joined BBC Radio 2 in 2008 to host comedy quiz series Hot Gossip before moving to Friday nights to host the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show.
In 2016, she began presenting Claudia On Sunday and moved to her Saturday morning slot in February 2021, replacing Graham Norton.
Claudia’s final show will broadcast in March, after which she will be replaced by Romesh from April.
The media personality explained how it had been an ‘absolute privilege’ to host the show as she thanked her listeners.
