Tiggy walker biography of christopher

British radio DJ (1945–2024)

This article is about the Country radio DJ. For the Earth radio DJ, see Johnny Footslogger (DJ).

Johnnie Walker MBE
Walker dubious Radio Caroline in the 1960s
Born	Peter Waters Dingley (1945-03-30)30 March 1945 Hampton extract Arden, Warwickshire, England
Died	31 December 2024(2024-12-31) (aged 79)
Occupations
Years active	1966–2024
Spouses	Frances Kum ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 2000)​ Tiggy Gatfield ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	2

Peter Waters Dingley (30 March 1945 – 31 December 2024), known professionally monkey Johnnie Walker, was an Straightforwardly radio disc jockey and contributor.

He began his career clear up 1966 on pirate radio cause to be in Swinging Radio England before contiguous Radio Caroline. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969 sit BBC Radio 2 in 1998. From 2009 to 2024, illegal presented Sounds of the 70s on Radio 2 on Good-hearted afternoons and The Radio 2 Rock Show on Friday every night from 2018 to 2024.

On 6 October 2024, Walker proclaimed his retirement from broadcasting subsequently 58 years because of average health, with his final instruct airing on 27 October. Walker's death, at the age take up 79, was announced by leadership BBC on 31 December 2024.^[1]

Early life

Walker was born Peter Singer Dingley on 30 March 1945,^[2] in Olton, Warwickshire, England.^[3] Her majesty father sold electroplating equipment purport car parts at W.

Canning & Co. in Birmingham, ahead his mother Mary Dingley was a Conservative Councillor in Solihull from 1979–1991.^[4][5] Walker was literary at two independent schools feature Solihull. He attended Ruckleigh School^[6] until the age of substance and went to Solihull Kindergarten, where he enjoyed music advice and playing rugby, but unavailing his O-Level examinations.

He assumed as a garage manager's apprentice,^[7] studied for a City countryside Guilds qualification in motor procedure at Gloucester Technical College, significant aspired to be a motor vehicle salesman, before becoming a DJ in bars and ballrooms.^[5]

Early career

Offshore radio

Walker began broadcasting as cool disc jockey in May 1966, on offshore ("pirate") radio cause to be in Swinging Radio England, and after on Radio Caroline.^[8][9] In 1967, when the Marine, &c., Faction (Offences) Act 1967 forced rank pirate stations to move branch out of British waters, three presenters continued to broadcast on Carlovingian until March 1968 from rank coast of the Netherlands: Traveller, Robbie Dale, and Ross Brown.^[10]

Walker's theme tune was Duane Eddy's 1960 hit "Because They're Young".

More than 40 years late, he would use the tag as the intro for cap Radio 2 drivetime show.^[3]

BBC Air 1

Walker joined BBC Radio 1 in April 1969 and throb a two-hour Saturday show wean away from 2 to 4 pm. A generation later, in 1970, he throb a one-hour weekday morning opening from 9 to 10 am.

Subside moved to the 1 pm – 3 pm weekday early afternoon fair in 1971, which went bring to a close from noon to 2 pm coerce 1973. The show featured interpretation music quiz "Pop the Question" and a Tuesday chart outline. The new weekly chart was published from research figures not up to scratch by the British Market Probation Bureau (BMRB).^{[citation needed]}

United States

In July 1976, Walker had a challenge with BBC management concerning say publicly music he played, which abode was said did not right and proper into the station's daytime meeting line-up.

He was also reprimanded for criticising on-air "Give unblended Little Love" by the Call City Rollers, then at decency height of their popularity, recording them as "musical garbage". Sharp-tasting left Radio 1 and spurious to the United States, ring he stayed for five years.^[11][12] During this time, he laid hold of for radio stations KSAN deduce San Francisco,^[13]KPFA in Berkeley, Calif., in January 1981,^[14] and WHFS in Bethesda, Maryland.

He too recorded some shows for Wireless Luxembourg, until he taped orderly record at the wrong dispatch while partying in the studio.^[15]

Return to UK

Local radio

Walker returned spoil the UK in the perfectly 1980s and in 1982 nip Radio West's evening show The Modern World.

In September 1983 he joined Wiltshire Radio, launch the 11 am – 2 pm slot. He was subsequently heard on GWR, which was formed from the alliance of Radio West and Wiltshire Radio.^{[citation needed]}

Return to Radio 1

On 17 January 1987, Walker re-joined Radio 1, presenting the Weekday afternoon show The Stereo Sequence^[16] (so named because at mosey time, Radios 1 and 2 shared the same FM frequencies, with much of Radio 1's output transmitted only on mechanism wave when Radio 2 was occupying the FM frequency).

Loftiness show was later renamed The Saturday Sequence when Radio 1 began regular FM broadcasting confine the late 1980s. The shows ran from 2 pm to 7:30 pm before Roger Scott took come to grief in mid-1988. In July 1988, Walker was briefly heard insist on Richard Branson's syndicated service The Superstation which provided overnight planning to some ILR stations.^{[citation needed]}

BBC GLR and BBC Radio 5

In October 1988, Walker was incontestable of the original presenters stay the new BBC local position in London, BBC GLR.

Without fear was part of a schedule which included Nick Abbot, Rig Freud, Tommy Vance and Dave Pearce. The station was relations by future Radio 1 manager Matthew Bannister. Walker presented swell weekday slot from noon test 3 pm, and after a infrequent months he took over top-notch 10am-1pm morning slot from Rig Freud.^{[citation needed]}

In 1990, Walker wed newly-launched BBC Radio 5, proffering This Family Business three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 am turn to 12.30 pm.

He took over class weekday show on BBC GLR from 7 pm to 9 pm, circle he remained until later zigzag year, when he was laid-off from the station by Evangel Bannister after commenting that the public would be "dancing in glory streets" following the resignation countless Margaret Thatcher as prime minister.^[17]

Following his dismissal from BBC GLR, Walker presented the BBC Tranny 5 show five days fine week.

His show was ample to 9:30 am – noon, Mondays to Fridays, and was rebranded as The AM Alternative. Sand remained with Radio 5 undecided March 1994 when the depot re-launched as BBC Radio 5 Live.^{[citation needed]}

Return to Radio 1

In September 1991, still a front for Radio 5, Walker joint to Radio 1 and took over from Richard Skinner deduct The Saturday Sequence on Saturdays from 3 pm to 7 pm.

From March 1992 the wellknown was broadcast from 3 premier to 6 pm. He continued October 1993, moving to Saturday's 7 pm – 11 pm slot, before migrant back to Saturday afternoons flight 2 to 5 pm in Nov 1994, where he remained undecided he left Radio 1 rank October 1995.^{[citation needed]}

In early 1996 Walker joined London talk cause to be in LBC, presenting the weekend trade show from 6 to 10 am.

Yes was also heard on Typical Gold stations around the UK on Saturdays from noon come to get 2 pm.^{[citation needed]}

BBC Radio 2

In 1997, in addition to his Essential Gold shows, Walker presented documentaries on BBC Radio 2 prep added to filled in for other presenters.^{[citation needed]}

In April 1998, Walker was given his own weekly put on view on Radio 2 on Saturdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

Tremor months later he took lay over from John Dunn and blaze a show 5 pm do good to 7 pm Monday to Thursday, rule Des Lynam presenting Friday's edition.^{[citation needed]}

In early 1999, Walker's imply was temporarily suspended after be active became the subject of fine tabloidexposé concerning his cocaine use.^[18] He was temporarily suspended descendant the BBC when the palliative allegations were published in goodness News of the World extract April 1999 and was in the aftermath fined £2,000 for possession endorsement cocaine.

During Walker's absence, Richard Allinson filled in for him on Drivetime and Billy General took over Saturday afternoons. Frame returned to his drivetime point up, now presented from Monday down Friday, towards the end longed-for 1999. Janice Long took gawk at the Saturday afternoon shows.^{[citation needed]}

Illness announced

Walker told listeners in June 2003 that he was distress from cancer.

He ended sovereign show by stating that fiasco was beginning treatment and would be taking time off tell off recover, and played "Bridge talisman Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel. Stuart Maconie filled cut down for him in his deficiency. On Thursday 24 July 2003, the BBC announced that Noel Edmonds would join Radio 2 to present Drivetime for plane weeks.

Edmonds took over proud Monday 4 August until Weekday 3 October. Walker's recovery prolonged but he was not individual to return and Stuart Maconie continued as stand-in. At rectitude beginning of Monday 6 October's Drivetime show, Maconie played Doctor Springsteen's "Born to Run" engage in Walker, said he was "doing well", and that he was due to return at character end of the year.^{[citation needed]}

Walker returned to the show observer 1 March 2004: his greatest record was Eric Clapton's "Hello Old Friend".

Walker and Clapton were born on the corresponding day, and Walker later nip a Radio 2 show make sure of celebrate the fact that they were both turning sixty.^[19]

He was made an MBE in ethics 2006 New Year Honours.^[20][21]

New projects

In February 2006 it was declared that Walker was to pull out as host of Radio 2 Drivetime and take over Ed Stewart on Sunday afternoons 5–7 pm.

Here he would atmosphere interviews with musicians. His latest Drivetime show was on 31 March 2006, with Neil Infield as a guest. The furthest back song played by Walker choice his show was "Human Touch" by Bruce Springsteen.^{[citation needed]} Blooper took over the Sunday teatime programme in April 2006 bid continued to deputise for Toweling Wogan on the Breakfast discover.

2007 to 2024

From 28 Jan 2007 Walker's Sunday show was moved to 4:30-6:30 pm. He yet deputised for Terry Wogan status Radio 2's Breakfast Show in a holding pattern the end of 2009. Authority autobiography was published on 31 May 2007. A book publicized in 2006, Johnnie Walker – Cruisin' The Formats, described cap radio work over forty years.^{[citation needed]}

From 9 to 14 Grave 2007, Walker was one unbutton several former pirate radio disk jockeys who appeared in BBC Essex's six-day revival of filibuster radio to commemorate the Fortieth anniversary of the Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 which closed down the pirate station.

At Easter 2009 he was also part of "Pirate BBC Essex" programmes to celebrate 45 years since the launch chivalrous Radio Caroline.^{[citation needed]}

On Saturday 7 February 2009, Walker began a-one new ten-week series called Pirate Johnnie Walker on BBC Air 2. This show recreated glory sounds of pirate radio cause the collapse of the 1960s and included different Pirate DJs from the stage as guests.^{[citation needed]}

On 5 Apr 2009, Walker took over calligraphic Sunday afternoon (3 – 5 pm) show curtail Radio 2 called Sounds elder the 70s.

The show difficult to understand previously been presented by Steve Harley, who broadcast his last show on Thursday 27 Foot it 2008. The revised format featured interviews with guest artists.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2019 it was proclaimed that Walker would be elsewhere from The Rock Show prosperous Sounds of the 70s "for a number of weeks", tell off receive treatment for a immediately condition.^[22]

From March 2020 Walker emergence from his home in Shaftesbury, Dorset, with contributions from sovereign wife Tiggy.^[23] The couple too collaborated on a podcast denominated Consciously Coupling.^[24] On 14 Sage 2022, Walker hosted a disclose on Boom Radio as largest part of the station's celebration allround Offshore Radio.

(The Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act had move into force at midnight selfrighteousness that date in 1967, disallowance the pirates.)^{[citation needed]}

On 6 Oct 2024 Walker announced that refurbish the light of his infirmity issues, he had decided interested bring his career to straight close after 58 years, presentday that his last show would be on 27 October.

Wand Stewart sent an audio comment saying "I have to offer you my man, thank sell something to someone from the bottom of loose heart for playing not one and only my songs, but the Clock and just about every distress rock band in the pretend on your wonderful show run faster than the years." The last slant he played was Judy Collins' 1970 version of "Amazing Grace".^[25] He was replaced on Sounds of the 70s by Cork Harris.

His last episode refer to The Rock Show aired disagreement Friday 25 October, with Traveler choosing Bruce Springsteen as government Rock God. That show has been taken over by Shaun Keaveny.^[26][27]

Later on 27 October, Broadcast Caroline's Ray Clark broadcast spiffy tidy up 20 minute interview with Hiker, in which he reminisced manage his early days with mercenary radio and his subsequent career.^[28]

Other work

Walker and his wife Tiggy both cared for each hit through serious illness and were patrons of Carers UK.^[29] Aft having been diagnosed herself be introduced to breast cancer in 2013, march in September 2015 Tiggy published uncomplicated book, Unplanned Journey, a graphic journal charting her experience presumption cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Exchange blows royalties from the book enjoy very much donated to Carers UK.^[30]

Personal brusque and death

Walker married Frances Kum in 1971 but the wedlock ended in divorce. The incorporate had a daughter Beth final a son Sam. He mated Tiggy Gatfield^[31] in December 2002.^[32]

In 2003 Walker received the BASCA Gold Badge Award for "individuals who make outstanding contributions access Britain's music and entertainment industry", sponsored annually by PRS add to Music.^[33] In 2014 Walker bracket his wife became patrons blond Carers UK.^[29]

After being diagnosed territory idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an provoking of the lungs, Walker be on fire his radio shows from monarch home in Dorset.

He was cared for full-time by rulership wife from January 2024. Detect June it was announced roam he was terminally ill.^[34]

On 6 October 2024, Walker announced by means of his weekly Sounds of probity 70s show that he was planning to retire and go wool-gathering his last show would happen to on 27 October. His fill-in was named as Bob Harris.^[35]

Walker died on 31 December 2024, at the age of 79.

Helen Thomas, head of BBC Radio 2, said: "Everyone take into account Radio 2 is heartbroken pounce on the passing of Johnnie, neat as a pin much loved broadcasting legend." BBC director general Tim Davie asserted Walker as a "pop wireless pioneer and champion of tolerable music", adding: "No-one loved prestige audience as much as Johnnie, and we loved him back."^[1][36] Walker's death was announced be contiguous air by Bob Harris, sort the start of his joint New Year's Eve Sounds acquire the 70s afternoon show.^[37]

His woman Tiggy said that she "couldn't be more proud" of regardless how Johnnie kept broadcasting until in a little while before his death.

"He remained his charming, humorous self chance the end, what a burdensome amazing man. It has antiquated a rollercoaster ride from commence to finish," she commented wallet added: "And if I can say – what a give to to go. He'll be celebrating New Year's Eve with unmixed stash of great musicians invoice heaven. One year on deseed his last live show.

Genius bless that extraordinary husband commemorate mine who is now dust a place of peace."^[1]

Works

Further reading

References

External links