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Johnnie Walker’s Wife Expresses Confidence That He Would Have Loved His Funeral Service

Johnnie Walker’s Wife Expresses Confidence That He Would Have Loved His Funeral Service

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.

Johnnie Walker’s Wife Expresses Confidence That He Would Have Loved His Funeral Service
Harley Davidson riders gather behind the hearse to pay tribute following the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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.

Johnnie Walker funeral
Tony Blackburn, Ken Bruce, and Jeremy Vine following the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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.

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Johnnie Walker’s Wife Believes Her Husband ‘Loved’ His Funeral Service

Johnnie Walker’s Wife Believes Her Husband ‘Loved’ His Funeral Service

Tiggy, the wife of veteran radio DJ Johnnie Walker, expressed that they “couldn’t have bettered a thing” regarding his funeral after he was laid to rest.

On Friday, Tiggy was accompanied by Walker’s former colleagues from BBC Radio 2 and Led Zeppelin’s lead singer Robert Plant at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset, for a service she believes he “loved.”

A procession of motorbike riders on Harley Davidsons, a passion of Walker’s, escorted the DJ’s hearse following the funeral.

“We couldn’t have bettered a thing about ⁦@piratejw’s send-off yesterday,” Tiggy shared on social media, dressed in a vibrant pink suit for the occasion.

“Beautiful music, fab readings & so much laughter. He left with Born To Run blasting! 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 causes lung scarring and makes breathing increasingly difficult, as per the NHS.

Tiggy, who cared for him throughout his illness and assisted in producing his radio show at home, honored him in a tribute shared on New Year’s Eve, commending him for remaining his “charming, humorous self to the end.”


Johnnie Walker’s Wife Believes Her Husband ‘Loved’ His Funeral Service
Johnnie Walker’s Wife Believes Her Husband ‘Loved’ His Funeral Service

Harley Davidson riders gather behind the hearse to take part in a tribute following the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Pallida Choir from Shaftesbury and Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman were notable performers at Walker’s service.

Before the funeral, Wakeman expressed that he was “very proud” to have been asked by Tiggy to perform his piece Gone But Not Forgotten.

Bob Harris announced Walker’s death on Radio 2 on New Year’s Eve; he had taken over the DJ’s Sounds Of The 70s show the previous November.


Johnnie Walker funeral
Johnnie Walker funeral

Tony Blackburn, Ken Bruce and Jeremy Vine following the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury (Andrew Matthews/PA)

In attendance at the funeral were also Bob Harris, former BBC radio host Simon Mayo, radio presenter Paul Gambaccini, BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley, BBC and ITV sports anchor John Inverdale, and actress Pippa Haywood, known from Green Wing.

Post-service, Radio 2 presenters Tony Blackburn and Jeremy Vine were spotted conversing with their former colleague Ken Bruce, who has moved to Bauer’s Greatest Hits Radio in 2023.

Walker had announced his retirement from radio in early October after a 58-year career, following his diagnosis with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Shaun Keaveny succeeded Walker as host of Radio 2’s Rock Show after Walker stepped down in October.

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Led Zeppelin Vocalist and Radio 2 Host Pay Their Respects at Johnnie Walker’s Funeral

Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, along with Johnnie Walker’s former colleagues from BBC Radio 2, came together to honor the late DJ at his funeral in Shaftesbury.

Walker passed away at the age of 79 in December, with the announcement of his death made on New Year’s Eve by Bob Harris, who took over hosting Walker’s Sounds Of The 70s show in November.

For the past three decades, he lived with his wife Tiggy in a 17th-century farmhouse in the north Dorset town, where he also broadcast his beloved radio show.

Harley Davidson riders gather behind the hearse to take part in a tribute following the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter's Church in ShaftesburyHarley Davidson riders gather behind the hearse to take part in a tribute following the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury (Image: Andrew Matthews) The funeral service took place at St Peter’s Church, where Walker’s wife Tiggy, clad in pink, and other friends and loved ones, witnessed the procession of Harley Davidson riders paying respects to the DJ’s hearse.

An enthusiastic rider of American motorcycles, Walker was honored with a “ride of honour” by fellow bikers, a tradition for deceased riders.

Among those in attendance were Simon Mayo, who spent nearly twenty years with BBC Radio 2 before leaving in 2018, along with radio luminaries Bob Harris, Jeremy Vine, and Tony Blackburn.

Robert Plant arrives at the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter's Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset. Mr Walker, who hosted BBC Radio 2's Sounds Of The 70s and The Rock Show, died on 31 December, aged 79.Robert Plant arrives at the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset. Mr Walker, who hosted BBC Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 70s and The Rock Show, died on 31 December, aged 79. (Image: Andrew Matthews)

Dressed in black and dark blue, Plant had previously praised Walker in December, describing him as “a defender and gatekeeper of great musical taste, a cool, kind man who kept the bar high for all of us who loved him.”

Walker had retired due to health issues, stepping away from his Radio 2 show The Rock Show last October after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Also in attendance were BBC and ITV sports presenter John Inverdale, former BBC presenter Suzi Perry, radio host Paul Gambaccini, BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley, and actress Pippa Haywood from Green Wing.

Jeremy Vine arrives at the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter's Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset.Jeremy Vine arrives at the funeral of DJ Johnnie Walker at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset. (Image: Andrew Matthews) The keyboardist Rick Wakeman expressed his pride on X this Thursday for being asked by Tiggy, Walker’s wife, who supported him during his illness and assisted in producing his radio show from home, to perform at the service.

He delivered a heartfelt rendition of his song Gone But Not Forgotten, a piece he also shared at the memorial for the former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.

(Image: Andrew Matthews)

On December 31, Tiggy Walker paid tribute to her late husband, remarking that he remained his “charming, humorous self to the end”, and expressed, “bless that extraordinary husband of mine, who is now in a place of peace”.

The illness that Walker suffered from, IPF, leads to lung scarring and progressively worsening breathing difficulties. According to the NHS, there is “currently no treatment” that can halt or reverse this condition.