Veteran BBC broadcaster Steve Wright, one of the most familiar voices on the UK airwaves, has died aged 69.
The legendary DJ He joined the BBC in the 1970s and presented programs on BBC Radio 1 and 2 for more than four decades attracting millions of listeners.
Today’s shock announcement has left colleagues “heartbroken” and sparked an outpouring of emotional tributes from stars including Sara Cox, Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley.
Wright He was also a long-time presenter of Top Of The Pops on BBC One and he presented the popular weekend mid-morning show Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2.
His last show was a pre-recorded edition of the Valentine’s Day show two days ago. Wright told listeners in her final farewell: “I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday, ta-da then.”
A statement shared by Wright’s family read: “It is with deep sadness and deep regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright.
‘As well as his son Tom and daughter Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother Laurence and father Richard. Also, dear friends and close colleagues, and millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure to allow Steve into their daily lives as one of the UK’s most enduring and popular radio personalities.
“While we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time.”
Steve Wright, deceased aged 69, photographed in his recording studio in 1994
Wright seen in a recent photo of him walking through central London.
The DJ was married to Cyndi Robinson until they divorced in 1999. They are pictured on their wedding day.
Wright’s show on Radio 2 last Sunday was pre-recorded and it is understood another show is “in the can”, although it is believed it will not be broadcast following his death.
Meanwhile, a BBC star told how colleagues considered the death “very, very sudden” as he had been in contact with station bosses in recent days.
They told the Mail: ‘Steve had been speaking to Radio 2 bosses just two or three days ago… we knew he was struggling a bit with his health, but nothing that seemed that serious.
“It’s been a big surprise. No one can believe it. Recently he was interacting with his colleagues. It doesn’t seem real at all.
Today tributes have arrived from colleagues.
Presenter Sara Cox said: “It’s really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright’s passing, except that we are all shocked, devastated and surprised by this news.”
“Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really kind person, he was witty, warm and a huge, huge part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will be absolutely gutted too.”
Zoe Ball has told Wright to “rest well, you wonderful magician” following his death at the age of 69.
In a post on X, the broadcaster wrote: ‘Wrighty. Our radio friend, our inspiration, broadcasting master, the Godfather, always there for all of us with support, advice, love and most importantly laughter, have a good rest, wonderful magical man.
“Life will not be the same without you here, I love you my friend, my hero.”
Dame Esther Rantzen, who was interviewed by Wright on many occasions, said that he was a unique broadcaster.
“It created a kind of club that, whether I was interviewing you or enjoying it as a listener, you looked forward to joining every day,” he said.
‘It’s a very rare quality and he made it look easy. He was often very funny, and when he left his daily afternoon show he really made a space in the day for many of us who relied on his company. “It will be a real loss.”
Ken Bruce said he was “totally shocked to hear the news.”
He added: ‘We were planning a lunch to celebrate the award of his well-deserved MBE.
‘An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the radio world!
The legendary broadcaster presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon for 12 years on Radio 1 and another 23 years on Radio 2. He is pictured in 1980.
The DJ, seen in 2003, was awarded an MBE for his services to radio.
Wright with Bunny Campione at an event at Hamleys Toy Store in London on October 24, 2004.
Wright in a photo taken in 1995
The DJ with Alice Cooper at the Sony Radio Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel on May 12, 2004
Ken Bruce said he was “totally shocked to hear the news”. He added: “We were planning a lunch to celebrate him being awarded his well-deserved MBE.”
Wright was hailed today by former colleagues and interviewees.
Wright was born in 1954 in Greenwich, south London, and began his career at the BBC as a clerk.
He briefly left the station in 1976 to join Thames Valley Radio, but returned four years later to present weekend programmes.
The station joined BBC Radio 1 in 1980 to present a Saturday night show before moving on to present Steve Wright In The Afternoon a year later until 1993.
Wright then fronted the Radio 1 Breakfast show for a year until 1995, and completed a stint on commercial radio stations before returning to BBC Radio 2 in 1996 to present Steve Wright’s Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs.
In 1999, he recreated Steve Wright In The Afternoon every weekday on Radio 2, featuring celebrity interviews and entertaining trivia in his Factoids segment, before resigning in September 2022.
Former BBC Radio 1 presenter Scott Mills has taken over the afternoon slot as part of the station’s programming change.
Wright continued presenting Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 and from October last year presented the long-running show Pick Of The Pops, which had previously been fronted by Paul Gambaccini.
BBC Radio 2 director Helen Thomas said Wright “understood better than anyone the connection and camaraderie that radio creates, and we all loved him for it”.
“He was a consummate professional whose attention to detail was always second to none, he made his guests laugh, he was fair and he wanted to showcase them and their work in the best light possible, bringing brilliant stories to our listeners,” she added.
She recalled feeling “pure amazement” upon seeing him 20 years ago, when he became the first presenter she produced.
“To all of us at Radio 2, he was a wonderful colleague and friend with his excellent sense of humour, his generosity with his time and his endless words of wisdom,” he added.
“We were lucky to have him with us for all these decades and will greatly miss his talent and friendship.”
Wright was honored for his services to radio in the December 2023 New Year’s Honors list and said he wanted to dedicate it “to all the people in broadcasting who provided comfort and public service during the pandemic”.
Wright being surprised in his studio by Paul McCartney. Also in the photo is his production assistant Dianne Oxberry.
The DJ with George Michael in an undated photo taken inside a BBC studio
Matt Lucas has referred to Wright as “the most brilliant radio host ever” following the latter’s death at the age of 69.
In a post on X, the comedian wrote: “Steve Wright was the most brilliant radio host ever.
‘So talented, natural and attractive. It was always a pleasure and an honor to appear on his show. What a great loss!
Jo Whiley has thanked Wright, ‘the station’s announcer’, for all his support over the years.
In a post for X, the radio DJ and TV presenter wrote: ‘What a man. What a legend. The station’s station.
‘One of the kindest and most charming people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Thanks for the support and music chat over the years.
‘I can’t believe we don’t meet in the bowels of MV to catch up weekly. I love you Wrighty.’
BBC Director General Tim Davie said today: “All of us at the BBC are heartbroken to hear this terribly sad news. Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a big part of many of our lives for many decades.
‘He was a professional par excellence: passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners. This was deservedly recognized in the New Year Honors list with him being awarded an MBE for his services to radio.
‘No one had more energy to offer shows that made the public smile. They loved him deeply. We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him dearly.”
Lorna Clarke, director of BBC Music, said: “Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, someone the public loved and many of us admired.” He loved radio and he loved the BBC, but most of all… he loved his audience.
‘From Radio 1 to Radio 2, he was with us for over four decades and brought so much joy to our airwaves, no matter what he was doing.
“We were privileged to have him with us all these years.”