Profiles of Popular and Extraordinary Radio Personalities
Johnnie Walker
Born: 1945
Real Name: Peter Dingley
Personal: Married Frances Kum in 1971 with whom he had two children: Beth and Sam. They divorced. He remarried "Tiggy" in 2002.
Career: In the early 1960s, Johnnie Walker worked for legendary Pirate Station, "Radio Caroline". He defiantly continued to broadcast in 1967 despite laws that shut down most other Pirate Radio station.
He went to work for BBC 1 beginning in 1969 where he spent 7 years with the BBC's flagship Pop and Rock station.
During the 1970s, Walker created a controvery when he labeled the "Bay City Rollers" as "musical garbage".
Walker moved to San Fransisco in 1976 then returned to England in the early '80s. In 1998, he joined up with BBC 2, where he began a weekend show. This led to a weekday drive time slot.
In 1999, Walker was suspended from BBC 2 after allegations of cocaine use came to light. He was subsequently reinstated after admitting to it, holding himself well through the court proceedings and paying a fine.
In early June of 2003, Walker announced to his listeners he had colon cancer and was undergoing treatment for it.
