DJ Johnnie Walker tells of his battle with cancer at Barts
WHEN veteran DJ Johnnie Walker returned from his honeymoon in India with stomach pains, he put it down to the food. But when his condition did not improve, he decided to get it checked-out. And a few months later, the Radio 2 presenter was diagnosed wi
WHEN veteran DJ Johnnie Walker returned from his honeymoon in India with stomach pains, he put it down to the food.
But when his condition did not improve, he decided to get it checked-out.
And a few months later, the Radio 2 presenter was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
He shocked his listeners by announcing the news on air before he gave up his drive-time show to start his chemotherapy in May 2003 at Barts Hospital in West Smithfield.
You may also want to watch:
"When you receive the news there is no amount of advice or preparation to prepare you for dealing with it" the 64-year-old said.
"It occupies every single waking moment and it is on your brain constantly. You think what is going to happen and what is it going to be like."
Most Read
- 1 Luxury Canary Wharf flats going for lower rent set by the council
- 2 Driver, 18, wanted for driving wrong way through Blackwall Tunnel
- 3 Fines totalling £361k handed to East End landlords and agents
- 4 Isle of Dogs man who murdered teenager at Crossharbour DLR sentenced to 27 years
- 5 Liverpool Street to Shenfield line suspended as person hit by train
- 6 Barts Health NHS Trust reports one of lowest rates of vaccinated staff
- 7 Man charged after triple stabbing on night bus in Mile End
- 8 19 arrested and cash seized in East End dawn drug raids
- 9 Road and rail disruptions to expect in east London this week
- 10 Man killed after fall from Bow tower block
During the two months of treatment, Mr Walker was hospitalised after each of the four sessions of chemotherapy.
And on Monday Mr Walker returned to the hospital for the first time since his treatment to see the new Barts Cancer Centre.
He added: "The hospital was in need of modernisation but the spirit of the place was fantastic.
"There is something that is very special about Barts.
"I don't know whether it is because of its amazing history. But the staff gave a tremendous amount of support and care that I will always be grateful for.
