What did you miss?

Johnnie Walker fans shared they were sobbing over the BBC Radio 2 the presenter’s moving final performance as he signed by Sounds Of The 70s for the last time.

Walker retired from his radio careerwhich began in 1966 and has seen him present the 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 difficulty breathing.

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

What, how and why?

Johnnie Walker fans have said they will “never see people like him again” as they admitted to being in tears during his final radio show.

The longtime Sounds Of The 70s host ended his final show on Sunday performing Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now and said: “Here we are at the end of a 15-year run of Sounds Of The 70s on Sunday afternoon and 58 years on British radio It’s going to be very strange not to be on the radio anymore But also, at the same time, life will be really less stressful, trying to find the breath to make things. programs.

“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.”

Read more: Johnnie Walker

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

Fans shared their sadness as one commented on retirement, you will never be forgotten.”

Another person wrote: “Congratulations on a brilliant career Johnnie and thank you for introducing me to so much “new” music! I’ll miss your show, but I really appreciate you (and Tiggy) continuing to do so over the last few months. Enjoy your retreat to the best of your ability!”

someone else added: “Listening to Johnnie. Not a dry eye in our house. Sundays will never be the same. Thank you for the music and sweet companionship over the many years. Take care Xx”

A fan common: “I listened with tears in my eyes. I listened 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 good times and so much good music. Truly the end of an era, we will never see people like JW again. I hope you both enjoy your retirement too as long as possible.”

Another listener commented: “Listening to @BBCRadio2 and Johnnie Walker’s latest show. In tears – feels like I’ve been listening to it forever.”

Another fan agreed: “I cried through most of it and sobbed at the end, thank you JW, you gave a lot of people a lot of joy. God bless you.”

For his final song, he played Judy Collins’ version of Amazing Grace after opening with George Harrison’s What Is Life and said: “It was just great spending Sunday afternoon with you and that is going to be very strange for me next Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. It’s time to think that I won’t be talking to you It will be someone else, namely Bob Harris, who will do Sounds Of The 70s.

“So I’m going to miss you a lot and it’s been great to connect over all these years. We’ve been through a lot together, you and I.”

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

As well as his dedicated listeners, a high-profile fan paid 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 also The Faces and just about every other rock band people on your wonderful show over the years.

“In doing so, you propelled the careers of a group of unknown slackers to the top of the charts, along with overnight fame and all that goes with it. Needless to say, without your support, we wouldn’t be here perhaps never arrived.”

Stewart added: “So if I make it through the pearly gates, I’ll have a pint of Guinness, please, mate, and guess what? I’ll pay the bill. See you later, Johnnie. Rock on buddy, keep going.”

Walker’s wife Tiggy, who spent five months presenting alongside her husband during lockdown, attended his latest show and told him: “I think you should also be proud of the time you spent to broadcast this year. You got very, very ill in January of this year, and I didn’t think you would be doing concerts until February.

“I know it’s been really hard for you. I’m the only person who knows how hard it’s been for you, and I just want to say good luck to you for continuing this long, because you’re making a lot of people happy. very happy. And I know there will be many tears today, including mine.

Walker admitted he could have shed a tear or two and he thanked her for all her “wonderful care”, adding: “I definitely couldn’t have done the show without it, so thank you for that.”

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