Tiggy Walker Honors Late Husband Johnnie Walker in Emotional New Year’s Tribute Following His Passing at 79 in London

Johnnie Walker, the beloved Radio 2 presenter, passed away at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades.

His wife, Tiggy Walker, paid a heartfelt tribute to him on her first New Year’s Eve without him.

Taking to social media, Tiggy shared a touching message encouraging others to raise a glass in honor of her late husband.

“What does a new widow do on NYE? She listens to BBC Radio 2, opens a bottle, and toasts her amazing husband,” Tiggy wrote.

She described Johnnie as “courageous, wise, strong, creative, and never dull,” and fondly referred to him as “the Pirate” before asking everyone to raise a glass in his memory.

Johnnie’s Brave Battle with Illness

Johnnie had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung disease, for the past five years.

The disease gradually took away his ability to breathe, but Tiggy proudly reflected on how her husband continued broadcasting up until his final days.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie — how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped with his debilitating lung disease,” she shared.

She also expressed her belief that Johnnie would be celebrating New Year’s Eve with fellow musicians in heaven, one year after his last live show.

The Last Days and His Legacy

Earlier in June, Tiggy had hinted that Johnnie’s time might be running short as they came to terms with his terminal illness.

In October, Johnnie made the difficult decision to retire from his broadcasting career, acknowledging that his illness made it increasingly challenging to maintain the professional standard required by Radio 2.

In a candid interview, Johnnie revealed that he was not afraid of dying but did have concerns about the process of passing away. “I think it’s a beautiful place.

Unless you’ve done some awful things down here, I don’t think there’s anything to fear,” he had said.

A Storied Career and Personal Life

Johnnie Walker was born in Birmingham and, after leaving school at 15, embarked on a career as a mechanic before discovering his passion for music.

He began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, and went on to become a household name hosting popular shows on Radio Caroline.

His voice and influence were so significant that he continued to receive fan mail, even years later.

Johnnie met Tiggy in 2001, and they married in 2002.

Their journey together was filled with health challenges, including Johnnie’s battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma during their honeymoon, and Tiggy’s own fight against stage-four breast cancer, from which she has since recovered.

Tributes Pour In from the Radio Community

Following his death, numerous tributes flooded in from fellow broadcasters and colleagues who had the privilege of working with Johnnie over the years.

Tony Blackburn, 81, called Johnnie a “fine broadcaster and very good friend,” while former Radio 2 host Ken Bruce, 73, shared his sorrow, saying, “Not only was he a wonderful broadcaster but also a man of great strength and kindness.”

BBC director-general Tim Davie expressed his sadness, acknowledging Johnnie as a “pop radio pioneer” and a beloved figure at Radio 2.

“No one loved the audience as much as Johnnie and we loved him back,” said Davie.

The Lasting Impact of a Radio Legend

Johnnie’s influence on Radio 2 and the broadcasting world is undeniable.

Helen Thomas, head of BBC Radio 2, said, “Everyone at Radio 2 is heartbroken about the passing of Johnnie, a much-loved broadcasting legend.”

She praised his contribution to shows like Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show, where Johnnie’s personal stories and deep love for music captivated listeners.

His unique style and sense of humor made him a cherished figure among his audience and colleagues alike, and his absence will be felt deeply across the BBC and beyond.

As we reflect on his life, the airwaves truly won’t be the same without Johnnie Walker.

Our thoughts remain with Tiggy, their children, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with this extraordinary man.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn