Steve Wright: Radio 2 presenter dies aged 69

[bots]

DJ Steve Wright, who presented programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades, has died at the age of 69.

His family confirmed his death "with deep sorrow and profound regret" in a statement on Tuesday.

Wright joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host the afternoon shows on Radio 1 and Radio 2.

He also fronted television programmes for the BBC, including Top of the Pops.

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

Wright's family said: "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.

"As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68287707

[arista]

He was Great
Sad he is now gone.


Amazing to think he was happy working on Sunday.



Life can be fast

[Crimson Dynamo]

I cant believe it I only listened to his show on Saturday :sad:

Iv been listening to Steve for 40 years

[MTVN]

Totally shocked, I wonder how?

Farewell to a legend

[James]

I really loved his show Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 1, with his posse. I listened every day.

A sad and unexpected loss.

[AnnieK]

Oh, how sad. He was a great radio presemter

[Kazanne]

Very sad,loved his show,RIP Steve Wright

[joeysteele]

A really big shock.

A big loss to broadcasting.


R.I P.

[bots]

the times when the show went totally off at a tangent and the entire crew were in hysterics was a wholly new radio experience. It was great

[thesheriff443]

A massive loss to the world of radio
Grew up with him in my ears like millions of others

[Gusto Brunt]

Such a sad time.

I was just listening to him on Pick of the Pops just TWO DAYS ago. He was in fine form.

His voice/delivery the same as ever. Perfect and youthful. Very sad. He had so much left to give. RIP. :(

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/13/17/81217217-0-image-m-8_1707845558521.jpg

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/13/17/81217001-13079303-image-m-103_1707845011935.jpg
[Wright being surprised in his studio
by Paul McCartney.
Also pictured is his production
assistant Dianne Oxberry]

[Cherie]

aw I used to love his show in the afternoon with that segment on finding love

RIP

[arista]

https://liveblog.digitalimages.sky/lc-images-sky/lcimg-5943baaf-9826-4ed3-b1f2-ee90987b3756.jpeg

[arista]

https://liveblog.digitalimages.sky/lc-images-sky/lcimg-5f80c13d-7a54-4a35-95b3-90f0753477a9.png

[UserSince2005]

I’m sure I might have heard in the afternoon once or twice before
How sad
Drugs?

[arista]

I’m sure I might have heard in the afternoon once or twice before
How sad
Drugs?


No 18 Stone

[Gusto Brunt]

No 18 Stone

It might not be the right thing to say at this time but you raised the issue of his weight.

I actually wasn't surprised he died. The last pic I saw of him he looked about 20 stone. I thought at the time no one should be that weight, particularly at the age of 69.

Maybe it wasn't a heart attack. Some people were suggesting suicide because he lost his daily Radio 2 show. Who knows.

[Mystic Mock]

RIP

I feel for the family at a time like this, hopefully they're doing the best that they can do.

[arista]

[Liz Kershaw has blasted the BBC
for its 'shabby' treatment of Steve Wright
prior to his death yesterday,
claiming bosses cruelly 'dumped' him
and treat stars like 'tins of beans on a shelf'.

The veteran radio presenter said it made her
'feel sick' to see the broadcaster pay tribute
to the legendary DJ after a schedule shake-up
last year saw Scott Mills take over his
long-held Radio 2 afternoon slot.

'It's shabby, it's hypocritical.
They just dumped him,'
the former BBC presenter Liz said]


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13082457/liz-kershaw-blasts-bbc-steve-wright-treatment-dj-death.html

[arista]

It might not be the right thing to say at this time but you raised the issue of his weight.

I actually wasn't surprised he died. The last pic I saw of him he looked about 20 stone. I thought at the time no one should be that weight, particularly at the age of 69.

Maybe it wasn't a heart attack. Some people were suggesting suicide because he lost his daily Radio 2 show. Who knows.


Yes 20 stone+

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/11/81217349-13082457-Wright_seen_in_a_recent_photo_from_when_he_was_out _walking_in_ce-a-3_1707911415542.jpg

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/8BC7/production/_132638753_cr52f8aa0132cd2955dcc2fd2816c20e0039a21 6c1.jpg.webp

[Tony Blackburn, Steve Wright and Paul Gambaccini
pictured in 2002]


He was not Fat
20 years ago or so.

[Nicky91]

RIP :(

very sad

[Crimson Dynamo]

0COJop9aIKc

[Gusto Brunt]

Yes 20 stone+

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/14/11/81217349-13082457-Wright_seen_in_a_recent_photo_from_when_he_was_out _walking_in_ce-a-3_1707911415542.jpg
Anyone is heading for serious health problems being that weight, and he also looks disheveled for a man with his money.

Funny how his voice was always youthful and he sounded great, up until two days before his death. He still sounded like that guy in his early 30s.

It's still very sad all the same. Like I said, his last Pick of the Pops show was good, but it lacked the humour and zest his live daily shows had. Judging from what Liz said, this downgrading in the Radio 2 schedules must have had an effect on him. :(

[arista]

Anyone is heading for serious health problems being that weight, and he also looks disheveled for a man with his money.

Funny how his voice was always youthful and he sounded great, up until two days before his death. He still sounded like that guy in his early 30s.

It's still very sad all the same. Like I said, his last Pick of the Pops show was good, but it lacked the humour and zest his live daily shows had. Judging from what Liz said, this downgrading in the Radio 2 schedules must have had an effect on him. :(


I understand that
as he did not care at the age of 69.


Yes the BBC Manager of Radio
Sacked him
then he got a Sunday special

Liz is bitter as they sacked her as well
years ago.

[AnnieK]

0COJop9aIKc

Aw, I heard that in his show this morning. He was so emotional. :bawling:

[Cherie]

Anyone is heading for serious health problems being that weight, and he also looks disheveled for a man with his money.

Funny how his voice was always youthful and he sounded great, up until two days before his death. He still sounded like that guy in his early 30s.

It's still very sad all the same. Like I said, his last Pick of the Pops show was good, but it lacked the humour and zest his live daily shows had. Judging from what Liz said, this downgrading in the Radio 2 schedules must have had an effect on him. :(

I mean I get it, but at 69 he has no entitlement to get work over someone younger,, sometimes you just have to accept you have had your day, these radio folk seem to go on into their 80s and it is not right ...in my view anyway

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/15/02/81286601-0-image-m-7_1707963018838.jpg

[arista]

[The Sun says that radio legend Steve Wright
"died of a broken heart" after being
"dumped" by the BBC, according to
"pals".
The presenter was last on air on the
BBC on Sunday, hosting a pre-recorded
special Valentine's Day
edition of his Love Songs programme.]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/9C77/production/_132655004_thesun-nc.png.webp

[Crimson Dynamo]

[QUOTE=arista;11415303][The Sun says that radio legend Steve Wright
"died of a broken heart" after being
"dumped" by the BBC, according to
"pals".


Thankfully we have trained Doctors and not "pals" to look after our health

[Cherie]

where were these 'pals' when he was 'dumped' he was retirement age and he still had a show :shrug:

[arista]

where were these 'pals' when he was 'dumped' he was retirement age and he still had a show :shrug:


Many are working
at his age

[Gusto Brunt]

Many are working
at his age

CORRECT.

David Hamilton, aged 85, the oldest DJ on UK radio with a live daily show on Boom.

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZiMTQ4NGM3LTAwODMtNDhmYi05NDEyLTMyN2UwOD U2NzVmNTphYTUzZmRhMy1lYTczLTRjYjktOTcyNy1iYjBjNzQx OTM5NWI=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65

And Tony Blackburn, still working hard and doing live theatre shows at 81.

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30778329.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/3_This-Morning-TV-show-London-UK-18-Jan-2023.jpg

By the way, I found out yesterday Steve's 'live' Pick of the Pops show was voice tracked. That means only the speaking intro parts were recorded and the music stitched into it. It means he could do a 2 hour show in about 30 minutes.

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/15/14/81309299-0-image-m-6_1708007255337.jpg

[Steve Wright's heartbroken brother
blames BBC DJ's 'unexpected' death
on his poor diet and claims the star hid
his health problems from his family

Laurence Wright, 65, [Centre Photo]
said brother's tendency
for eating out was a main factor]


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13087519/Steve-Wrights-heartbroken-brother-blames-BBC-DJs-unexpected-death-poor-diet-claims-star-hid-health-problems-family.html

[Gusto Brunt]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/15/14/81309299-0-image-m-6_1708007255337.jpg

[Steve Wright's heartbroken brother
blames BBC DJ's 'unexpected' death
on his poor diet and claims the star hid
his health problems from his family

Laurence Wright, 65, [Centre Photo]
said brother's tendency
for eating out was a main factor]


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13087519/Steve-Wrights-heartbroken-brother-blames-BBC-DJs-unexpected-death-poor-diet-claims-star-hid-health-problems-family.html

Yeah it's looking like a heart attack. Very sad. :(

[Crimson Dynamo]

wtk-bnYxytU

[MTVN]

He doesn't look too well in recent pictures tbf but you could never tell that by his voice

You can never completely predict these things of course but just shows how precious your health is

[Crimson Dynamo]

Gary does a nice tribute show of 1980 when Steve joined Radio 2 - some clips of him on his first broadcast

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_two

[Gusto Brunt]

Gary does a nice tribute show of 1980 when Steve joined Radio 2 - some clips of him on his first broadcast

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_two

Those clips, sounded like a few were from his pre-recorded Pick of the Pops show that should have gone out today, but hosted by Gary.

In particular when Styx' Babe was played.

[Gusto Brunt]

Saw this on Twitter this morning.

Apparently Steve was asked, would he consider going back to afternoons on Radio 2.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1758977108288667960

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/10/81407277-0-image-m-29_1708250423675.jpg

[Steve Wright 'became extremely withdrawn
and stopped going out after his ex-wife died
during Covid' - as son reveals he flew from
LA to care for the BBC star before his death
Cyndi Robinson died aged 65 in July 2020 and
neighbours say DJ 'shut down']


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13097073/Steve-Wright-extremely-withdrawn-stopped-going-ex-wife-died-Covid-son-reveals-flew-LA-care-BBC-star-death.html

[Gusto Brunt]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/10/81407277-0-image-m-29_1708250423675.jpg

[Steve Wright 'became extremely withdrawn
and stopped going out after his ex-wife died
during Covid' - as son reveals he flew from
LA to care for the BBC star before his death
Cyndi Robinson died aged 65 in July 2020 and
neighbours say DJ 'shut down']


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13097073/Steve-Wright-extremely-withdrawn-stopped-going-ex-wife-died-Covid-son-reveals-flew-LA-care-BBC-star-death.html


I think what is telling but his excellent ever youthful voice did not reveal was that most of his shows after the afternoon sacking were voice tracked.

That's Steve just saying 'this is' and 'that was'. Apparently he recorded a few Pick of the Pops shows in one day.

Sad because Steve LOVED live radio. :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOSi9Qfsu1Y

[Ammi]

Sunday Love Songs returns for first time without legendary DJ…


Sunday Love Songs the flagship radio show pioneered by Steve Wright has returned to the airwaves for the first time since the legendary DJ’s death at the age of 69.

Presenting a special episode of the show on Sunday morning, Liza Tarbuck said the show was going on but “without the chief”.

Wright’s final show was last Sunday, when he hosted a pre-recorded special Valentine’s Day edition of his Love Songs programme.

Tarbuck was heard to get emotional as she said: “Good morning to you we are live in Wogan House.

“This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs without the chief… without our genius friend.”

She then launched into Luther Vandross’ classic Never Too Much.

The veteran presenter, known for fronting Top of the Pops and Pick of the Pops, hosted shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades. His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Starting his radio career in the 1970s, Wright gained nationwide recognition for his Steve Wright in the Afternoon show, which ran for more than 35 years.

[Gusto Brunt]

Has he been buried yet?

[arista]

Has he been buried yet?

I assume it was kept private

[Livia]

I miss Steve Wright. I listened to his show all my life.

[Gusto Brunt]

I assume it was kept private

Must have been. It's three months since.

But you'd expect someone loved by so many would have had a great public send off.

[Gusto Brunt]

There was some sort of inquest held a couple of days ago that revealed Steve had a heart operation a year ago,

They also said his death was sudden but not a surprise. Looks like he dropped dead of a heart attack then. There were rumours he'd taken his life after feeling rejected after his daily Radio 2 show was axed.

Not true.

Makes me think he could still be in a freezer. No funeral yet.

[arista]

There was some sort of inquest held a couple of days ago that revealed Steve had a heart operation a year ago,

They also said his death was sudden but not a surprise. Looks like he dropped dead of a heart attack then. There were rumours he'd taken his life after feeling rejected after his daily Radio 2 show was axed.

Not true.

Makes me think he could still be in a freezer. No funeral yet.


Very Possible Gusto