Johnnie Walker’s widow Twiggy has shared an emotional statement as she rang in the New Year without her husband. It comes after the BBC Radio DJ died aged 79, days before the start of 2025.
To mark the day, Twiggy raised a glass to her husband and shared a statement with fans on X. She wrote: “What does a new widow do on NYE? She listens to BBC Radio 2, opens a bottle and toasts her amazing husband. Courageous, wise, strong, creative and never dull.
“They didn’t call him the pirate for nothing. Above all the most devoted loving husband. (Please) raise a (glass) to Johnnie Walker.”
Johnnie, who was born in Birmingham, presented his final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 in October. He announced that he was retiring from radio after 58 years, having been previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant also paid tribute to Walker on X following his death, The Mirror reports. He said: “So long Johnnie Walker, all across the years, a defender and gatekeeper of great musical taste, a cool, kind man who kept the bar high for all of us who loved him.”
In an earlier tribute, Tiggy had said: “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.
“He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong, amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. And if I may say what a day to go. He’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a stash of great musicians in heaven. One year on from his last live show.
“God bless that extraordinary husband of mine, who is now in a place of peace.” Shaun Keaveny, who took over presenting Radio 2’s Rock Show from Walker, said in a message sent to Harris’s show: “Johnnie Walker, a rebel, a soul searcher, and a seeker, a rocker, and a phenomenal broadcaster.
“He absolutely lived life to the limit, it was a total privilege to have worked with him.”
Walker began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station. He later moved to Radio Caroline, where he became a household name hosting the hugely popular, night-time show.
Walker joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969, continuing until 1976, with him later moving to San Francisco, where he recorded a weekly show broadcast on Radio Luxembourg. He returned to the UK in the 80s and presented Radio 1’s Saturday Stereo Sequence.