Johnnie Walker, the esteemed veteran radio DJ, was laid to rest, and his wife Tiggy expressed their satisfaction, stating they “couldn’t have bettered a thing” about his funeral.
In attendance at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on Friday were Walker’s former colleagues from BBC Radio 2 and Led Zeppelin’s lead vocalist, Robert Plant. Tiggy believes that the service was one he would have truly “loved.”
A procession of motorbike enthusiasts riding Harley Davidsons, a passion of Walker’s, escorted his hearse following the ceremony.
“We couldn’t have bettered a thing about @piratejw’s send off yesterday,” shared Tiggy, who wore a vibrant pink suit for the occasion, on social media.
“The music was beautiful, the readings were fab & there was so much laughter. He left with Born To Run playing loudly! I’m sure he loved it.”
Walker passed away in December at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that leads to progressive lung scarring and makes breathing increasingly challenging, as noted by the NHS.
Tiggy, who supported him through his illness and assisted in producing his radio show from home, paid tribute to his ability to remain his “charming, humorous self to the end” in a heartfelt message shared on New Year’s Eve.
The Pallida Choir from Shaftesbury and Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman were among the performers at Walker’s service.
Prior to the funeral, Wakeman expressed his pride in being asked by Tiggy to perform his song Gone But Not Forgotten.
Walker’s passing was announced by Bob Harris on Radio 2 on New Year’s Eve; Harris recently took over hosting Walker’s Sounds Of The 70s show last November.
Among the attendees at the funeral were former BBC radio host Simon Mayo, Paul Gambaccini, BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley, sports presenter John Inverdale, and actress Pippa Haywood.
After the service, Radio 2’s Tony Blackburn and Jeremy Vine were spotted chatting with their former colleague Ken Bruce, who left the BBC for Bauer’s Greatest Hits Radio in 2023.
In early October, Walker announced his retirement from radio after an impressive 58-year career, due to his diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Shaun Keaveny has taken over the hosting of Radio 2’s Rock Show since Walker departed in October.