Steve Wright: ‘Shocked’ stars pay tribute to ‘gifted’ BBC radio DJ and presenter following his death at 69

Key points

BBC Radio presenter Steve Wright has died at the age of 69He joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host shows on BBC Radio 1 and 2
Family releases statement A brief history of a remarkable 40-year career’I’ve lost my hero’ who ‘changed radio’: Hammond’s moving tributeLive reporting by Jess Sharp 

18:56:20 Director says he was ‘starstruck’ by Wright

Director Edgar Wright has said he was “more than a little starstruck” when he met Steve Wright. 

The Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz filmmaker described appearing on Wright’s Radio 2 show in his tribute to the “master DJ”. 

“He was just as kind and funny off mic as he was on,” he said. 

18:41:31 ‘He made radio seem so joyous’, ‘felt like a friend’ and was a ‘loyal man’

Former Pointless host and author Richard Osman has recalled being a teenager and wanting to be part of “Steve Wright’s posse” in his tribute to the broadcaster. 

Presenter of the BBC’s Today programme Nick Robinson said Wright made listeners feel “like a friend”, describing him as “one of the radio greats”.

Comedian Danny Wallace said: “Steve Wright was a radio giant. Better than that, he was a genuinely nice, thoughtful and loyal man. Going to miss his craft and care.” 

18:35:01 Listeners ‘relied on’ Wright’s company

Dame Esther Rantzen, who was interviewed by Wright on several occasions, said he was a unique talent whose listeners often “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 said.

“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.”

18:30:21 Sara Cox announces Wright’s death on air

Sara Cox was on air on Radio 2 when the news of Steve Wright’s death was announced. 

In an emotional moment, she said staff were “all absolutely devastated and shocked and blindsided”. 

“Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really, really kind person,” she said. 

“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.”

18:25:11 Wright was a ‘constant inspiration’ – Scott Mills remembers ‘one of our greatest ever broadcasters’

In 2022, former BBC Radio 1 host Scott Mills took over Steve Wright’s afternoon slot as part of the station’s schedule shake-up.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, he said Wright was “one of our greatest ever broadcasters”. 

“He made everything sound effortless, and worked so hard to make every show world-class,” he added.

Describing him as a “constant inspiration”, he recalled how the pair would spend hours reminiscing about his days at Radio 1. 

“I would listen to his stories and wisdom in awe. My thoughts are with his family and my colleagues who have worked with him for so many years. Steve, you’re the best to ever do it,” he said. 

18:14:29 ‘What a loss to the world of radio’, ‘gifted’ and ‘a loyal chum’ – more tributes to ‘outstanding’ broadcaster

Scottish radio and TV presenter Ken Bruce – a fellow Radio 2 legend -has said he was “totally shocked” to hear of Steve Wright’s death, saying the pair were planning a lunch to celebrate his recently awarded MBE. 

Actor, comedian and former Bake Off host, Matt Lucas, described Wright as “natural and engaging”, saying it was “always a pleasure” to appear on the “gifted” broadcaster’s show. 

Writer and journalist Danny Baker said Wright was “a loyal chum” and a “genuine radio star”. 

18:07:36 A brief history of Steve Wright’s BBC career

Veteran BBC radio broadcaster Steve Wright was one of the most familiar voices on the airwaves in the UK. 

He joined the BBC in the 1970s, going on to host shows on BBC Radio 1 and 2 for more than four decades. 

Born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954, Wright started his career at the BBC as a clerk, leaving the corporation to join Thames Valley Radio to start his broadcasting career in 1976.

Four years later, he was back at the BBC, presenting weekend programmes on Radio 1 before launching the show that would ultimately define his career, Steve Wright In The Afternoon, in 1981.

He was also a long-standing presenter of Top Of The Pops on BBC One. 

He had a brief stint hosting the Radio 1 breakfast show for a year from 1994, before Chris Evans was moved into the role, and then left to join Talk Radio – but was back at the BBC once again in 1996.

He began presenting a Saturday programme and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 from 1996, before launching his afternoon show in 1999, a slot he would keep until 2022.

Following schedule changes at the station, the slot was taken over by Scott Mills, but Wright stayed with Radio 2 to present Sunday Love Songs as well as a series of specials and podcasts.

Wright last appeared on-air on Sunday, hosting a pre-recorded special Valentine’s Day edition of his Love Songs programme.

18:03:49 Tony Blackburn ‘shocked’ by Wright’s death

Fellow broadcaster Tony Blackburn has said he was “shocked” to hear the news of Steve Wright’s death and he will “miss him terribly”. 

The veteran DJ worked alongside Mr Wright at BBC Radio for decades. 

“He was a great broadcaster and we just loved one another’s company,” he said. 

17:58:03 ‘I’ve lost my hero’ – Former Top Gear presenter sends ‘heartfelt condolences’ to Wright’s family

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has paid tribute to Steve Wright, saying he has lost his hero.

“He was the reason I started my career. Steve, you changed radio and thus broadcasting for us and shall be very, very sadly missed,” he said. 

17:55:08 BBC bosses pay tribute to ‘extraordinary’ broadcaster

Bosses at the BBC also 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 continued: “He loved radio, and he loved the BBC, but most of all… he loved his audience.”

BBC director-general Tim Davie said staff were “heartbroken” to hear of his death, which comes just weeks after he was made an MBE for services 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 said. “He was the ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners.

“This was deservedly recognised in the New Year Honours list with his MBE for services to radio. No one had more energy to deliver shows that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They loved him deeply. We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him terribly.”

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