Johnnie Walker to step down from his BBC Radio 2 shows

While on air today, Johnnie Walker told listeners that he’s decided to step down from presenting his two Radio 2 and BBC Sounds shows later this month.

He made the announcement during his Sounds of the 70s show earlier, after reading out a letter from a listener whose dad had loved the show, but passed away in 2022 due to pulmonary fibrosis, which is the condition Johnnie has.

He 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.

“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.

“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. Well, one of the tracks on the album seems quite suitable at the moment.”

Johnnie then played the track, Miss You.

Continuing, he said: “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, so Bob Harris will be in charge of Sounds of the 70s from the 3rd of November.”

Johnnie’s last episode of The Rock Show will air on Friday 25th October, 11pm-12am, and his final episode of Sounds of the 70s will air on Sunday 27th October, 3-5pm.

Bob Harris says: “I am proud and honoured to be taking over a BBC Radio 2 institution from a true broadcasting great.

“Johnnie and I have been friends since my years presenting Old Grey Whistle Test and the original Sounds of the 70’s and I will do everything I can to maintain his legacy and curate the programme with the very best music from that incredible decade.”

Shaun Keaveny will be the new presenter of The Rock Show from Friday 1st November, he says: “Johnnie Walker is one of my ultimate radio heroes. I am not sure how I am going to get through the week without hearing him, and his place in radio legend is assured.

“It is an honour to be asked to take over The Rock Show from him, and I will take on the Mantle of Rock with great care and hope I can do him proud.

“I genuinely believe that guitar, bass, drums riffs and radio make the world a better place, so The Rock Show is my perfect home! Join me live from 11pm Fridays so we can see Saturday in together with ringing ears!”

Following his pirate radio days, Johnnie joined Radio 1 in 1969 and continued until 1976 when he went to live in San Francisco. He returned to the station in 1987 and then joined Radio 2 1997.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Johnnie is quite simply a broadcasting legend, someone who has shaped the sound of pop music radio since its earliest days on the pirate ships. Everyone at Radio 2, and I’m sure his millions of listeners, would like to thank Johnnie for entertaining us for so many decades with his brilliantly crafted shows.

“He leaves the station with our love, huge thanks and best wishes. He will be much missed on the airwaves and by his listeners, who have adored listening to his shows over the years. We are in awe of his incredible legacy which speaks for itself.”