- By Steven McIntosh
- Entertainment reporter
DJ Steve Wright, who introduced programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for greater than 4 many years, has died on the age of 69.
His household confirmed his demise “with deep sorrow and profound remorse” in an announcement on Tuesday.
Wright joined the BBC within the Seventies and went on to host the afternoon reveals on Radio 1 and Radio 2.
He additionally fronted tv programmes for the BBC, together with Top of the Pops.
Wright was final on air on Sunday, internet hosting a pre-recorded particular Valentine’s Day version of his Love Songs programme. He handed away on Monday.
Paying tribute to Wright on Radio 2 after his demise was introduced, an emotional Sara Cox mentioned: “It’s actually laborious to know what to say in regards to the information of Steve Wright’s passing, besides we’re all shocked and devastated and blindsided by this information.
“Steve was a unprecedented broadcaster, a very sort person, he was witty, he was heat, and he was an enormous, large a part of the Radio 2 household, and I do know my fellow DJs will all be completely shattered too.”
Fellow Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley started her programme by saying it felt “very unusual” to be doing a tribute to Wright.
“It’s extraordinarily laborious to know what to say and to be speaking about somebody that you simply noticed solely days in the past on this very studio the place I’m proper now – doing a tribute present to that person simply doesn’t really feel proper,” she instructed her listeners.
Sara Cox “devastated” by information of Steve Wright’s demise
Born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954, Wright’s profession on the BBC started when he began working as a clerk. His broadcasting profession was launched in 1976, when Wright left the BBC to hitch Radio 210 in Reading.
Four years later, he joined BBC Radio 1, presenting weekend programmes earlier than launching Steve Wright within the Afternoon in 1981 – the present that might in the end outline his profession.
After a quick stint internet hosting the Radio 1 breakfast present for a yr from 1994, Wright left to hitch Talk Radio, however rejoined the BBC in 1996.
He started presenting a Saturday programme and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 from 1996, earlier than relaunching his afternoon present in 1999, a slot he would hold till 2022.
The present had its personal distinctive zoo format, that includes contributions from Wright’s on-air “posse”, in addition to movie star interviews and entertaining trivia featured in his Factoids phase.
Scott Mills took over the afternoon programme throughout a string of schedule adjustments on the station in 2022, however Wright stayed with Radio 2, persevering with to current Sunday Love Songs in addition to a collection of specials and podcasts.
Tony Blackburn (pictured with Wright and Paul Gambaccini in 2002) described the afternoon host as a “nice broadcaster”
Last October, he took over from Paul Gambaccini as presenter of the station’s Saturday afternoon staple Pick Of The Pops.
Wright was honoured for his companies to radio within the December 2023 New Year Honours record and mentioned he wished to dedicate it “to all of the individuals in broadcasting who gave consolation and public service in the course of the pandemic”.
Radio 2 mentioned it deliberate to have fun Wright’s life with a spread of programming throughout the station.
“Steve Wright had a mind like quicksilver” – Nicky Campbell
Presenter Jeremy Vine instructed BBC News: “It’s come as a whole shock to us. The Radio 2 household are in mourning. The factor about Steve is that he was 69 when he died, however he nonetheless appeared like he did when he was 30. He was such an unbelievable skilled… a stunning man.
“He was so encouraging to the following technology of presenters like me. He was so beneficiant along with his time. He was such an enormous determine in British radio. That cheerful voice is gone, and there are such a lot of individuals who will really feel his loss.”
The station’s boss Helen Thomas mentioned: “Steve understood the connection and companionship that radio engenders higher than anybody, and all of us cherished him for it. He was a consummate skilled whose consideration to element was at all times second to none.”
Wright additionally introduced TV programmes for the BBC (pictured internet hosting Top of the Pops in 1982)
Former Radio 2 drivetime host Simon Mayo said it was “terrible information”, describing Wright as “one of many greats”.
Jo Whiley, who additionally introduced on Radio 1 and Radio 2 throughout Wright’s respective tenures, mentioned she was “so totally devastated” to listen to of his demise.
“He was a category act,” she wrote. “An utter perfectionist when it got here to radio. No-one cared extra in regards to the high quality of what got here out of your audio system than Wrighty. But he was additionally terribly sort and big-hearted.
“We noticed one another rather a lot doing our reveals in the course of the pandemic and I cherished the banter we had. He was an enormous fan of latest music and he cherished a gossip. When I joined Radio 2 he took the time to return into the studio and was by no means something lower than encouraging and supportive over the years.”
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“We had been planning lunch to have fun the award of his well-merited MBE,” Bruce mentioned. “An excellent and revolutionary broadcaster whose listeners cherished him. What a loss to the world of radio.”
The station’s present breakfast present host Zoe Ball said Wright was “our radio good friend, our inspiration, grasp of broadcasting, the Godfather, at all times there for us all with help, recommendation, love & most significantly laughter”.
“Rest effectively you great magic man,” she added. “Life will not be the identical with out you right here.”
Wright was one of many BBC’s longest-serving DJs
Dame Esther Rantzen, who was interviewed by Steve Wright on many events, mentioned he was a singular broadcaster.
“He created a form of membership which, whether or not he was interviewing you or whether or not you had been having fun with it as a listener, you regarded ahead to becoming a member of daily,” she instructed the PA information company.
“It is a really uncommon high quality, and he made it sound simple. It was continuously very humorous, and when he left his day by day afternoon present he actually knocked a gap within the day for many people who relied on his firm.”
And Radio 2 presenter Rylan Clark posted: “I’m so saddened and in full shock that now we have misplaced this excellent man. Steve at all times was so wonderful after I began at Radio 2 and at all times went out of his option to make me really feel welcome.
“He might be so missed, none extra so than by [my mum] Linda who at all times jogged my memory that he was, is and at all times might be her favorite.”
In an announcement, his household mentioned: “It is with deep sorrow and profound remorse that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright.
“In addition to his son, Tom, and daughter, Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother, Laurence and his father Richard. Also, much-loved shut pals and colleagues, and tens of millions of devoted radio listeners who had the great fortune and nice pleasure of permitting Steve into their day by day lives as one of many UK’s most enduring and common radio personalities.”
BBC director basic Tim Davie mentioned: “All of us on the BBC are heartbroken to listen to this terribly unhappy information. Steve was a very great broadcaster who has been an enormous a part of so lots of our lives over many many years.
“He was the ultimate skilled – passionate in regards to the craft of radio and deeply in contact along with his listeners. This was deservedly recognised within the New Year Honours record along with his MBE for companies to radio.
“No-one had extra power to ship reveals that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They cherished him deeply. We are considering of Steve and his household and can miss him terribly.”
As Wright bade farewell after 23 years on his common present in 2022, he performed listeners out to Queen’s Radio Ga Ga.
Signing off, he instructed listeners: “We’ve tried on this programme to carry just a bit bit of sunshine reduction, a superb real environment, uplifting tunes, good dialog, just a little little bit of satire.
“We tried to make the present distinctive and simply be good firm. I can solely hope we have completed that a few of the time.”
He added: “Most of all, I need to say thanks to you, in your appreciation, our dearest listener, smashing and constant. For all of the response, the great phrases, thanks if you happen to’ve ever seen your option to listening to us over 23 years at any time, thanks, thanks, and thanks once more.”
