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Tony Blackburn and Jeremy Vine lead mourners at DJ Johnnie Walker’s funeral-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro
Broadcasting world stars including Tony Blackburn turned up to say their final goodbyes to Johnnie Walker at his Dorest funeral today (Picture: PA/Getty Images)
Broadcasting faces including Tony Blackburn, Jo Whiley and Jeremy Vine turned up say their final goodbyes to veteran radio DJ Johnnie Walker today.
The Sounds of the 70s show host died after a long illness at the age of 79 in December and his funeral took place today at St Peter’s Church in Shaftsbury, Dorset.
Walker had worked in radio for 58 years and had been previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a chronic disease that causes irreversible scarring in the lungs.
The DJ’s final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 and his last episode of The Rock Show took place in October as he retired due to ill health and he died on New Year’s Eve.
Tony Blackburn wore a striped beige, red, yellow and brown scarf on top of a zip up cardigan and tie to the funeral today, while presenter Jo Whiley opted for a brown velvet jacket and black shirt.
Meanwhile, Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine turned up in a purple shirt, blue patterned tie and black thick coat jacket, and Ken Bruce was also in attendance with his broadcasting friends.
He died at the age of 79 on New Year’s Eve (Picture: George Wilkes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The funeral took place in a Dorset church (Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Tony Blackburn turned up to pay his respects (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
TV presenter Suzi Perry also attended alongside Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris and John Inverdale.
Non-broadcast celebrities also turned up to the 11am service to pay their respects, including Led Zeppelin rocker Robert Plant and actress Pippa Haywood.
Johnnie was on the radio for 58 years before he was forced to retire due to illness (Picture: Pete Still/Redferns)
His wife Tiggy looked emotional at the funeral, as in one picture she was seen wiping away tears (Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Walker’s widow Tiggy Walker wore a bright pink suit and black polar neck jumper, while the Black Dog rockstar left his curly grey hair down and wore a blue jacket and jeans.
Motorbike riders also paid tribute to the BBC radio star by following his funeral procession as he is laid to rest.
Following the memorial service finishing, friends and loved ones including Walker’s wife Tiggy – dressed in pink – gathered to watch the cortege of Harley Davidson riders escort the DJ’s hearse.
Jeremy Vine attended the ceremony to say goodbye (Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Walker was an avid rider of the US bikes, whose riders organise a ‘ride of honour’ for late bikers who die.
Before the memorial took place, Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman said on X that he was ‘very proud’ that Tiggy had asked him to perform a rendition of his track Gone But Not Forgotten, at the funeral.
Wakeman previously played the song at the memorial of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.
Jo Whiley was there too, wearing a brown velvet jacket (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
His death was announced on Radio 2 on New Year’s Eve by Bob Harris, who took over the veteran DJ’s Sounds Of The 70s show in November.
On the announcement of his death – which happened on New Year’s Eve – Walker’s wife Tiggy paid a loving tribute, as she said: ‘I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped with his debilitating lung disease.
‘He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
‘And if I may say – what a day to go. He’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a stash of great musicians in heaven. One year on from his last live show. God bless that extraordinary husband of mine who is now in a place of peace.’
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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Broadcasting world stars including Tony Blackburn turned up to say their final goodbyes to Johnnie Walker at his Dorest funeral today (Picture: PA/Getty Images)
Broadcasting faces including Tony Blackburn, Jo Whiley and Jeremy Vine turned up say their final goodbyes to veteran radio DJ Johnnie Walker today.
The Sounds of the 70s show host died after a long illness at the age of 79 in December and his funeral took place today at St Peter’s Church in Shaftsbury, Dorset.
Walker had worked in radio for 58 years and had been previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a chronic disease that causes irreversible scarring in the lungs.
The DJ’s final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 and his last episode of The Rock Show took place in October as he retired due to ill health and he died on New Year’s Eve.
Tony Blackburn wore a striped beige, red, yellow and brown scarf on top of a zip up cardigan and tie to the funeral today, while presenter Jo Whiley opted for a brown velvet jacket and black shirt.
Meanwhile, Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine turned up in a purple shirt, blue patterned tie and black thick coat jacket, and Ken Bruce was also in attendance with his broadcasting friends.
He died at the age of 79 on New Year’s Eve (Picture: George Wilkes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The funeral took place in a Dorset church (Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Tony Blackburn turned up to pay his respects (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
TV presenter Suzi Perry also attended alongside Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris and John Inverdale.
Non-broadcast celebrities also turned up to the 11am service to pay their respects, including Led Zeppelin rocker Robert Plant and actress Pippa Haywood.
Johnnie was on the radio for 58 years before he was forced to retire due to illness (Picture: Pete Still/Redferns)
His wife Tiggy looked emotional at the funeral, as in one picture she was seen wiping away tears (Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Walker’s widow Tiggy Walker wore a bright pink suit and black polar neck jumper, while the Black Dog rockstar left his curly grey hair down and wore a blue jacket and jeans.
Motorbike riders also paid tribute to the BBC radio star by following his funeral procession as he is laid to rest.
Following the memorial service finishing, friends and loved ones including Walker’s wife Tiggy – dressed in pink – gathered to watch the cortege of Harley Davidson riders escort the DJ’s hearse.
Jeremy Vine attended the ceremony to say goodbye (Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Walker was an avid rider of the US bikes, whose riders organise a ‘ride of honour’ for late bikers who die.
Before the memorial took place, Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman said on X that he was ‘very proud’ that Tiggy had asked him to perform a rendition of his track Gone But Not Forgotten, at the funeral.
Wakeman previously played the song at the memorial of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.
Jo Whiley was there too, wearing a brown velvet jacket (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
His death was announced on Radio 2 on New Year’s Eve by Bob Harris, who took over the veteran DJ’s Sounds Of The 70s show in November.
On the announcement of his death – which happened on New Year’s Eve – Walker’s wife Tiggy paid a loving tribute, as she said: ‘I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped with his debilitating lung disease.
‘He remained his charming, humorous self to the end, what a strong amazing man. It has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
‘And if I may say – what a day to go. He’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve with a stash of great musicians in heaven. One year on from his last live show. God bless that extraordinary husband of mine who is now in a place of peace.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
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