Johnnie Walker: Radio 2 Sounds of the 70s and Rock Show presenter retires from BBC

BBC radio host Johnnie Walker has revealed that he is retiring after a 58-year career due to health issues.

He will end his role as host of Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show on BBC Radio 2 by the end of this month.

The 79-year-old shared the news during a live broadcast on Sunday, informing listeners that he intends to make his last shows the best they can be.

Bob Harris will take his place on Sounds of the 70s, and Shaun Keaveny will step in as the new host of The Rock Show.

Walker is experiencing pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring in the lungs. This leads to challenges with breathing.

In his Sunday broadcast, he shared a letter from a listener whose father had been a fan of the show. Sadly, the father had lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis in 2022.

"This brings me to share some unfortunate news," he stated.

I've been finding it increasingly challenging to maintain the professional standards expected for Radio 2 while doing the show. That's why I often make light-hearted comments about Puffing Billy. As a result, I've come to the conclusion that it's time for me to wrap up my career.

Walker launched his radio journey in 1966 at Swinging Radio England, an illegal offshore station, before transitioning to Radio Caroline.

He became a part of BBC Radio 1 in 1969 and later moved to Radio 2 in 1997, where he has stayed to this day.

One of the people honoring him was Helen Thomas, the leader of Radio 2, who referred to him as a "legend in broadcasting."

"All of us at Radio 2, along with his countless listeners, want to express our gratitude to Johnnie for entertaining us for so many years with his wonderfully crafted programs." she remarked.

His absence will be deeply felt on the radio, and his fans will certainly miss tuning into his programs that they have loved for so long.

Harris, who will keep hosting The Country Show on Radio 2, expressed that he feels "proud and privileged" to take over as the host of Sound of the 70s from Walker.

He said, "I will do everything possible to honor his legacy and put together a lineup featuring the finest music from that amazing decade."

Keaveny, a former host of several programs on BBC Radio 6 Music and a guest presenter on The Rock Show in the past, referred to him as one of his "greatest inspirations in radio."

"I'm uncertain about how I'll manage the week without listening to him. His status as a radio legend is secure," he remarked.

Walker's final episode of The Rock Show is set to be broadcast on October 25, followed by his last episode of Sounds of the 70s, which will be shown two days later.