Legendary BBC Radio 2 presenter announces retirement after 58 years and last date on air

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

Legendary broadcaster Johnnie Walker announced to his Sounds of the 70s listeners today (Sunday 6 October, 3-5pm) that he has decided to step down from presenting his two Radio 2 and BBC Sounds shows – Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show - later this month.

In a moving message during the show, Johnnie read out a letter from a listener whose dad had loved the show, but had 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, and so 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.”

Jonnie played The Rolling Stones’ track, Miss You before adding: “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 25 October, 11pm-12am, and his final episode of Sounds of the 70s will air on Sunday 27 October, 3-5pm.

Bob Harris, Johnnie’s Radio 2 colleague and friend, will be taking over the helm of Sounds of the 70s from Sunday 3 November.

Bob said: “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.”

He began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, before moving to the legendary Radio Caroline, becoming a household name by hosting the hugely popular night-time show.

Of his retirement from BBC Radio 2, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: “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.”

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