Johnnie Walker DJ Illness and Health Update, What Illness Does Johnnie Walker DJ Have?
by
Updated Jul 08, 2024
Johnnie Walker DJ Illness and Health Update
BBC Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker recently thanked his listeners for their kind messages as he faces a serious illness. Since 2019, he has been dealing with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring in the lungs and makes breathing harder over time.
Despite this challenge, Walker remains grateful for the support he has received from fans. He has been a part of the BBC family since 1969 and continues to touch the hearts of many through his work.
What Illness Does Johnnie Walker DJ Have?
Johnnie Walker, the DJ on BBC Radio 2, has a condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This illness affects the lungs by causing scarring, which makes it difficult to breathe. He was diagnosed with this disease in 2019.
Despite facing this challenge, Walker has continued to work and has been grateful for the support and well-wishes he has received from his listeners. His career at the BBC spans many years, starting in 1969, and he is well-known for his contributions to radio broadcasting.
Who is Johnnie Walker?
Johnnie Walker, whose real name is Peter Waters Dingley, is an English radio disc jockey and broadcaster. He started his career on pirate radio stations, especially on Radio Caroline. In 1969, he joined BBC Radio 1, and later in 1998, he became part of BBC Radio 2.
On Radio 2, he hosts "Sounds of the 70s" on Sunday afternoons, where he plays music from that era. He also presents "The Radio 2 Rock Show" on Friday nights, sharing rock music with his audience. Walker is well-known for his long-standing career in radio, bringing his passion for music and broadcasting to listeners across the UK.
| Name | Johnnie Walker/Peter Waters Dingley |
| Born | 30 March 1945 (age 79) |
| Country | Olton, Warwickshire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, DJ |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Spouses | Frances Kum (m. 1971; div. 2000)
Tiggy Jarvis (m. 2002) |
| Children | 2 |
Johnnie Walker's Early Life
Johnnie Walker's father worked in Birmingham, selling equipment for electroplating car parts. Johnnie went to two private schools in Solihull: Ruckleigh School until he was eight years old, and then Solihull School. He liked music classes and playing rugby but didn't pass his O-Level exams.
After that, he trained as a garage manager's apprentice and studied motor mechanics at Gloucester Technical College to get a City and Guilds qualification. He originally wanted to work as a car salesman but later became a DJ, playing music in bars and ballrooms. This marked the beginning of his career in radio and broadcasting.
Johnnie Walker Career
Johnnie Walker started his career as a disc jockey in 1966 on pirate radio stations like Swinging Radio England and Radio Caroline. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969, hosting various shows including a popular afternoon slot. In the mid-1970s, he briefly left the BBC due to disagreements over the music he played. He spent time in the United States working for radio stations there.
Walker returned to the UK in the early 1980s and continued his radio career, joining stations like BBC GLR and later BBC Radio 5. He rejoined BBC Radio 1 in the late 1980s and early 1990s and also worked at LBC and Classic Gold stations. In 1998, he moved to BBC Radio 2, where he has since hosted several shows, including "Sounds of the 70s" and "The Rock Show". Throughout his career, Walker has been known for his passion for music and his distinctive broadcasting style, earning recognition including an MBE in 2006.
