Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker has revealed he will be quitting his BBC Radio 2 shows as he continues to live with a terminal illness which has left him completely housebound.
In a touching message during today’s show, the 79-year-old read a letter from a listener whose father loved the show, but passed away in 2022 due to pulmonary fibrosis, which is the condition Johnnie suffers from.
He then told his listeners that he made the decision to end his career after 58 years.
“The struggles I have had making the show and trying to maintain a suitable professional standard for Radio 2 have become increasingly difficult,” he added.
“So I’ll do my last Sounds of the 70s on October 27, so I’ll do the last three shows as best I can.”
Johnnie continued: ‘And by the way, I can also reveal not only my latest Sounds of the 70s, but the person who will be taking over the show will be the one and only Bob Harris, so Bob Harris will be in charge of Sounds of the 70s. starting November 3.’
The DJ’s final episode of The Rock Show will air on Friday, October 25, from 11pm to midnight, and his final episode of Sounds of the 70s will air on Sunday, October 27, from 3 to 5pm.