Steve Wright, BBC Radio presenter, has died

Veteran BBC radio presenter and broadcasting “legend” Steve Wright has died on the age of 69.

Wright hosted reveals on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for greater than 4 a long time and was final on air internet hosting a pre-recorded Valentine’s present on Sunday, the BBC mentioned. He died on Monday.

Paying tribute, his household mentioned in a press release: “It is with deep sorrow and profound regret 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 close friends and colleagues, and millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing Steve into their daily lives as one of the UK’s most enduring and popular radio personalities.”

Tributes paid to Steve Wright – comply with updates

Bosses on the BBC additionally paid tribute, with Lorna Clarke, director of music, describing Wright as “an extraordinary broadcaster – someone audiences loved, and many of us looked up to”.

She added: “He loved radio, and he loved the BBC, but most of all… he loved his audience.”

‘The Godfather’: BBC presenters pay tribute

Former BBC radio colleagues together with Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo and Tony Blackburn joined the tributes, with Mayo describing the DJ as “one of the greats” and “a fabulous, creative whirlwind of a presenter”.

Sara Cox, who was on air on Radio 2 when the information was introduced, mentioned workers had been “all absolutely devastated and shocked and blindsided” following Wright’s loss of life.

“Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really, really kind person,” she mentioned. “He was witty, he was warm, and he was a huge, huge part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will all be absolutely shattered, too.”

Radio 2 breakfast presenter Zoe Ball mentioned on X that life wouldn’t be the identical, whereas Jo Whiley described him as “a legend” and the broadcaster’s broadcaster”.

Scott Mills mentioned Wright was “the best to ever do it” as he shared his reminiscences of working with him.

Dame Esther Rantzen, who was interviewed by Wright on a number of events, mentioned he was a novel expertise whose listeners usually “relied on his company”.

“He created a kind of club which whether he was interviewing you or whether you were enjoying it as a listener, you looked forward to joining every day,” she mentioned.

“It is a very rare quality, and he made it sound easy. It was frequently very funny, and when he left his daily afternoon show he really knocked a hole in the day for many of us who relied on his company. He will be a real loss.”

More than 40 years on the BBC

Born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954, Wright’s began his profession on the BBC as a clerk, leaving the company to affix Thames Valley Radio to start out his broadcasting profession in 1976.

Four years later, he was again on the BBC, presenting weekend programmes on Radio 1 earlier than launching the present that might in the end outline his profession, Steve Wright In The Afternoon, in 1981.

He had a quick stint internet hosting the Radio 1 breakfast present for a 12 months from 1994, earlier than Chris Evans was moved into the function, after which left to affix Talk Radio – however was again on the BBC as soon as once more in 1996.

He started presenting a Saturday programme and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 from 1996, earlier than launching his afternoon present in 1999.

Following schedule modifications on the station the slot was taken over by Mills in 2022, however Wright stayed with Radio 2 to current Sunday Love Songs in addition to a sequence of specials and podcasts.

A DJ whose viewers ‘beloved him deeply’

BBC director normal Tim Davie mentioned workers had been “heartbroken” to listen to of his loss of life, which comes simply weeks after he was made an MBE for companies to radio.

“Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades,” Mr Davie mentioned. “He was the ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners.

“This was deservedly recognised within the New Year Honours listing along with his MBE for companies to radio. No one had extra power to ship reveals that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They beloved him deeply. We are pondering of Steve and his household and can miss him terribly.”

Radio 2 mentioned it deliberate to rejoice Wright’s life with a variety of programming throughout the station.

His loss of life comes only a month after that of Annie Nightingale, Radio 1’s first feminine DJ.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, mentioned: “Steve was the first presenter I ever produced more than 20 years ago, and I remember the pure amazement I felt, sitting opposite this legendary broadcaster whose shows I had listened to and marvelled at whilst growing up in Hull.

“For all of us at Radio 2, he was an exquisite colleague and a buddy along with his glorious sense of humour, generosity along with his time, and countless smart phrases. We had been fortunate to have him with us for all these a long time, and we are going to miss his expertise and his friendship terribly.”