Music stars amongst mourners at DJ’s funeral

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, in addition to former BBC Radio 2 colleagues of Johnnie Walker, had been among the many mourners on the late DJ’s funeral.

The veteran disc jockey’s demise aged 79 was introduced by his good friend and fellow Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris in December.

Former colleagues Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine and Tony Blackburn had been amongst these attending the service at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset.

Plant paid tribute to Walker in December, saying he was “a defender and gatekeeper of nice musical style”.

He added Walker was “a cool, sort man who stored the bar excessive for all of us who liked him”.

Walker retired from his Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 70s and The Rock Present because of ailing well being final October after being identified with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

He started his radio profession in 1966 on Swinging Radio England, an offshore pirate station, earlier than shifting to Radio Caroline.

In 1969 he was recruited by BBC Radio 1 after which joined Radio 2 in 1997 the place he remained till his retirement.

It was on Sounds of the 70s that the programme’s new host Harris introduced his good friend’s demise on New Yr’s Eve.

Additionally in attendance on Friday had been BBC and ITV sports activities presenter John Inverdale, former BBC presenter Suzi Perry, radio host Paul Gambaccini and Inexperienced Wing star Pippa Haywood.

Prog-rock icon Rick Wakeman carried out a rendition of his monitor Gone However Not Forgotten – which he additionally performed on the memorial of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.

Wakeman stated in a put up on X on Thursday that he was “very proud” Walker’s spouse Tiggy, who cared for him throughout his lung illness situation and helped with producing his radio present at residence, had requested him to carry out on the funeral.

Tiggy paid tribute to her husband on 31 December, saying he remained his “charming, humorous self to the tip”.

“Bless that extraordinary husband of mine, who’s now in a spot of peace,” she added.