Johnnie Walker listeners in tears as BBC Radio 2 DJ signs off from final show

What did you miss?

Johnnie Walker fans have shared that they were left sobbing over the BBC Radio 2 presenter's emotional final show as he signed off from Sounds Of The 70s for the last time.

Walker has retired from his radio career, which began in 1966 and has seen him present Sunday afternoon show Sounds Of The 70s since 2009, after revealing his terminal diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which scars the lungs and leads to increasing difficulties breathing.

He had hosted his final Rock Show on Friday and as he left his listeners with a moving last message, fans shared their sadness at "the end of an era".

What, how, and why?

Johnnie Walker fans have said they will "never see the likes of him again" as they admitted to being in tears at his final radio show.

The long-serving Sounds Of The 70s host signed off from his last show on Sunday by playing Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now and said: "Here we are at the end of a 15-year run on Sunday afternoon’s Sounds Of The 70s and 58 years on British radio. It’s going to be very strange not to be on the wireless anymore. But also, by the same token, life will be slightly less of a strain, really, trying to find the breath to do programmes.

"So thank you for being with me all these years and take good care of yourself and those you love, and may we walk into the future with our heads held high and happiness in our hearts. God bless you."

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Walker had decided to retire from radio after a terminal diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and had said he had been finding breathing increasingly difficult during his time on air for his Sunday BBC Radio 2 show, as well as Friday's The Rock Show.

Fans shared their sadness as one commented on X: "What a sad afternoon, thankyou both .... so many memories, starting with an old transistor radio back in 1970. Thankyou Johnnie for weaving the fabric of music into my life .... have a lovely retirement, you'll never be forgotten."

Another person wrote: "Congratulations on a brilliant career Johnnie and thank you for introducing me to so much “new” music! Going to miss your show, but really appreciate you (and Tiggy) keeping it going these last few months. Enjoy your retirement the best you can!"

Someone else added: "Listening in Johnnie. Not a dry eye in our house. Sundays will never be the same. Thank you for the music and gentle company over the many years. Take care Xx"

One fan shared: "Listening with tears in my eyes. Used to listen together with my husband until he passed away last year. It really feels like the end of an era. Thanks for the memories."

Someone else wrote: "Thank you for so many years, so many great moments and so much great music. Truly the end of an era, we'll never see the likes of JW again. Hope you both enjoy your retirement for as long as you can."

Another listener commented: "Listening to @BBCRadio2 and Johnnie Walker’s last show. In tears - I feel like I’ve been listening to him forever."

Another fan agreed: "I cried through most of it and sobbed at the end thank you JW you have given a lot of pleasure to a lot of people God bless you."

For his final song he played Judy Collins’ version of Amazing Grace after opening with George Harrison’s track What Is Life and said: "It was just great spending Sunday afternoons with you and it’s going to be very strange for me next Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock to think that I won’t be speaking to you. It’ll be somebody else, namely Bob Harris, who’ll be doing Sounds Of The 70s.

"So I’ll miss you a lot and it’s been great connecting up for all these years. We’ve done a lot of living together, you and I."

Rod Stewart and Johnnie Walker's wife Tiggy pay tribute during final show

As well as his devoted listeners, there was a high-profile fan who shared a tribute to Walker on Sunday as Sir Rod Stewart left a message for the DJ.

He said: "Hi Johnny, it’s Rod Stewart here. I have to thank you, my man, thank you from the bottom of my heart for playing not only my songs but The Faces and just about every other rock band in the world on your wonderful show over the years.

"By doing so, you propelled the careers of a bunch of unknown layabouts to the top of the charts, and overnight fame and everything that goes with it. It goes without saying, without your support, we never may have got there."

Stewart added: "So if I do manage to get through the pearly gates, I’ll have a pint of Guinness, please mate, and guess what? I’ll pick up the tab. See you later, Johnnie. Rock on mate, rock on."

Walker’s wife Tiggy, who spent five months presenting alongside her husband during lockdown, sat in on his last show and told him: "I think you should also be proud about how long you have gone on broadcasting this year. You fell very, very ill in January this year, and I didn’t think you’d be doing shows into February. You’ve kept going for 10 months.

"I know it’s been really hard for you. I’m the one person who knows how hard it’s been for you, and I just want to say well done for keeping going as long as you have, because you make a lot of people very happy. And I know there will be a lot of tears out there today, including mine."

Walker admitted he might shed a tear or two as well as he thanked her for all her "wonderful care", adding: "I certainly couldn’t have done the show without that so thank you for that."

Sounds of the 70s airs on BBC Radio 2 at 3pm on Sunday.