LEGENDARY Radio 3 disk jockey Peter Johns will have a
private funeral in the UK, as health concerns due to Covid-19 have meant that
it is considered too risky to repatriate his body back to his native Zimbabwe.
Johns (60) passed away last week at a hospital in the UK.
He had suffered three strokes while afflicted by a heart complication. The
radio personality, popularly known as PJ Your DJ or The Radio Driver to the
legions of listeners that tuned into his shows like Hitsville and Monday Mellow
Madness before the turn of the new millennium, reportedly had a heart attack in
2019 and never fully recovered.
In a statement, the Peter Johns family said concerns about
Covid-19 had put paid to any plans to give Johns a send-off in his country of
birth. His burial would follow burial regulations set by British
government.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the
heartfelt tributes and outpouring of sympathy in this difficult time,” the
family said in the statement. “We have tuned into every show, cried, laughed
and felt proud of what he achieved, we understand that PJ meant a lot to many
worldwide and we will do all we can to celebrate his legacy.
“It was our wish to return PJ home but sadly this will not
be possible due to the risks associated with travelling while we are in the
centre of a global epidemic. He will be laid to rest in the UK at a private
funeral attended by under 10 close family members in accordance with Government
guidelines.”
The Johns family urged fans to celebrate the disk jockey
through digital platforms. On Saturday Star FM, Power FM and ZiFM combined
forces for the “Tribute Multicast”, a first in Zimbabwe radio broadcast. More
tribute broadcasts are set to follow.
The family noted they were still looking forward to tribute
and submissions about the man who left an indelible mark on the Zimbabwean
broadcast and club scenes, while a memorial website was also on the cards.
“We have confirmed a prestigious central London venue for a
public memorial and exhibition on Sunday 18 April 2021. One of PJ’s last wishes
was a space online, for fans to listen to his playlists and mixtapes, reliving
the memories of Zimbabwe Radio, Scamps, Turtles, Monday Mellow Madness and
more. We are inviting anyone who knew or worked with PJ to send their
contributions or memories of him by signing up at www.djpeterjohns.com which
will be included at the public memorial and on his memorial website, which will
be launched on Sunday 18 April 2021.” Sunday News
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