Exploring the Personal Life of BBC DJ Johnnie Walker: Who is He Married To as He Retires After 58 Years?

After an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, Johnnie Walker, the legendary DJ, officially announced his retirement from BBC Radio 2 on his show, Sounds Of The 70s, on Sunday, October 27.

During his poignant farewell broadcast, Johnnie expressed his intention to wrap up the show by selecting his favorite tracks rather than taking listener requests. Having joined Sounds Of The 70s in 2009, Walker’s contributions to British radio extend back over 58 years.

Since 2020, Johnnie has been battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a lung inflammation condition that has ultimately contributed to his decision to retire.

In early 2024, he began hosting the show from his home due to his declining health, with his wife, Tiggy Walker, serving as his dedicated full-time caregiver. Tiggy, a seasoned broadcaster and long-time advertising producer in the entertainment industry, is currently a columnist for Dorset Magazine. She also manages Johnnie’s career. Their shared caregiving experiences now have a long history.

Tiggy is not Johnnie Walker’s first spouse

Johnnie Walker married Tiggy in 2002, following the end of his first marriage to Frances Kum, which lasted for three decades and ended in divorce in 2000. During their wedding, Walker was undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which he successfully battled in 2003.

Years later, when Tiggy was diagnosed with breast cancer, Johnnie took on the caregiver role, supporting her through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and two surgeries.

The couple’s journey through health challenges has been tough, yet they have managed to sustain their marriage for over twenty years.

In a feature for Dorset Magazine, Tiggy candidly discussed the emotional toll of being a long-term caregiver, expressing feelings of exhaustion and grappling with elements of PTSD from her initial caregiving experience.

She further elaborated on the drastic changes in Johnnie’s health since his Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis diagnosis in January 2024, stating:

“The weeks that followed were a blur of nurses, doctors, oxygen machines and wheelchairs. In 24 hours, our lives had changed out of all recognition. That was in January, and The Pirate has not left home since then; I am a carer 24/7.”

At 64, she shared her feelings of being “overwhelmed”by the demands of care for her husband, the minimal support available to her, and how their home had taken on a hospital-like atmosphere.

On Johnnie’s final show, Tiggy delivered a heartfelt message:

“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. I know there will be a lot of tears out there today, including mine.”

Johnnie Walker embarked on his DJ journey in the 1960s, with his inaugural performance on the pirate radio station Radio Caroline. He made his debut at BBC Radio 1 in 1970 and soon after relocated to San Francisco, where he resided for nearly a decade.

He returned to the UK in 1987 and resumed his position with the BBC, featuring as a presenter on The Stereo Sequence. Over the years, he has been a part of numerous BBC shows, including The Rock Show and Drivetime.

Starting from November 3, Bob Harris, known for hosting The Old Grey Whistle Test, will take over Johnnie Walker’s slot on Sounds Of The 70s.

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