Legendary BBC presenter quits radio show after more than 50 years at corporation leaving listeners stunned
ANOTHER BBC presenter has decided to step away from the corporation after 50 years on the airwaves.
The legendary broadcaster left his listeners completely stunned after he made a moving announcement mid-show.
Johnnie Walker, 79, often took to BBC Radio 2 to present the Sounds of the 70s show and he also fronted The Rock Show.
But he just announced that he would step down from both of his two programmes on the network in a moving message to his listeners.
He initially read out a letter that was sent in by one of the fans, whose father loved the show but died in 2022.
This was due to him having pulmonary fibrosis, the same condition Johnnie has.
The legendary DJ then told his listeners: “Now, that leads me to be making a very sad announcement.
“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, hence my little jokes about Puffing Billy.
“So I’ve had to make the decision that I need to bring my career to an end after 58 years.”
Johnnie then told the audience precisely when his last show on the airwaves would be.
“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 admitted.
“Now this week in 1978, The Rolling Stones were special guests on America’s Saturday Night Live TV show and they appeared in a couple of sketches and performed three tracks from their latest album, Some Girls.
He added: “One of the tracks on the album seems quite suitable at the moment,” before going onto play The Rolling Stones’ hit, Miss You.
Johnnie then continued: “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.
“Bob Harris will be in charge of Sounds of the 70s from the 3rd of November.”
1966 was the year Johnnie first began his career in radio when he appeared on the offshore pirate station, Swinging Radio England.
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
Johnnie Walker
He then became a household name by hosting the popular night-time show on Radio Caroline.
The star then joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969 and continued until 1976, becoming known for his music-centric approach.
He regularly impressed listeners when he prioritised the tracks over conversation over the airwaves.
His edition of lunchtime show was launched in 1971 where huge names such as Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles were first promoted on air.
BBC departures and returns
LEAVING/LEFT
Newsnight’s Mark Urban after 35 years on air
Claudia Winkleman quitting BBC Radio 2 after 15 years
Correspondent Robin Brant after two decades
Sports presenter Garry Richardson after 50 years
BBC Radio star Jason Rosam after 16 years on air
Jordan North quitting Radio 1 and moving to Capital
RETURNING/RETURNED
Martine Croxall after launching legal action against the Beeb
Karin Giannone after a horror injury and year off air
Annita McVeigh after losing out on a chief presenter job last year
Geeta Guru-Murthy after also being off air for more than a year
In 1976 he chose to leave the BBC in order to go to California and work in San Francisco.
He returned to blighty in the early 80’s, before making a comeback on Radio 1 in 1987 with The Stereo Sequence.
This was alongside his work on BBC Radio 5 Live and various shows on the new local station, BBC GLR in London.
1997 saw Johnnie join Radio 2 to present documentaries and fill in for other shows across the schedule.
I’ve had to make the decision that I need to bring my career to an end after 58 years.”
Johnnie Walker
A year later he was given the afternoon show on Saturday, before stepping up to present the drivetime slot from 5-7pm in 1999.
He became synonymous for his extensive music knowledge that he gained with his 30 years of experience.
One famous moment included the heartbreaking moment that he broke the news of his cancer diagnosis to his audience in June 2003.
After taking a break from the programme, he returned in March 2004, to Eric Clapton’s hit, ‘Hello Old Friend’.
He decided to step away from the Drivetime show in 2006 to front a new Sunday show on the network, while filling in for Terry Wogan on the breakfast show.
The star was also the voice for various specials, and he was later awarded an MBE for Services to Broadcasting.