BBC Radio 2 presenter Johnnie Walker opens up on 'fears' about death

The 79-year-old announced earlier this month he was stepping down from presenting Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show on BBC Radio 2 after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Johnnie Walker, the terminally-ill DJ, has expressed his lack of fear about dying but shared concerns about his final moments due to his health condition. The BBC radio presenter announced earlier this month that he was retiring from radio after a 58-year career due to ill health, having been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

The 79-year-old informed listeners that he would be stepping down from presenting Sounds of the 70s and The Rock Show on BBC Radio 2 at the end of October. "I’m not worried about dying. I have an unshakeable belief in an after-life. I think it’s a beautiful place. Unless you’ve done some awful things down here, I don’t think there’s anything to fear," he said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

"What I am a little bit frightened of is what the end will be like when you’re fighting for breath. It doesn’t sound a very nice way to go."

His condition, IPF, is one "in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult", according to the NHS. The NHS website states that the cause of the condition is unclear and while treatments can slow its progression, there is "currently no treatment that can stop or reverse the scarring of the lungs".

Birmingham-born presenter Walker began his radio career in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station. He later moved to Radio Caroline, where he became a household name hosting the hugely popular night-time show.

Walker began his stint with BBC Radio 1 in 1969 and carried on until 1976. He later moved to San Francisco and recorded a show for Radio Luxembourg.

In the early 1980s, he made a return to the BBC and has been a fixture there since. Walker, now wheelchair-bound and dependent on oxygen, is cared for by his wife Tiggy, who has been with him for over two decades, as reported.

Making a heartfelt announcement on air on October 6, Walker informed his listeners of his departure, stating he was "making a very sad announcement" and promising to "make the last three shows as good as I possibly can". Helen Thomas, Radio 2's head, paid tribute, describing Walker as "quite simply a broadcasting legend", remarking on his remarkable legacy.

Bob Harris is set to step into Walker’s shoes for Sounds of the 70s, meanwhile Shaun Keaveny will start presenting The Rock Show from November 1. Walker’s final episode of The Rock Show is scheduled for October 25 between 11pm-12am, and his last Sounds of the 70s show will air Sunday, October 27, from 3pm to 5pm.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Walker shared his feelings: "It will be a huge wrench to hang up my headphones. I feel quite a connection with my listeners because of the passing years."

He reflected on the lengthy relationship with his audience: "I get emails from people who say, ‘I was with you when you were on Radio Caroline’, so we’re talking 58 years ago. Imagine what we’ve been through together."

He expressed his emotions, saying: "I feel a great sadness. But I didn’t want to reach a point where the BBC was going to say, ‘Johnnie, we don’t think you’re well enough. Your breathlessness is affecting the show too much’."

He explained his decision to step back, adding: "I’d rather it was my decision. It just seemed to be the right time because it was getting increasingly challenging to record my shows."