Tributes are being paid to veteran broadcaster Steve Wright following his death at the age of 69. The DJ was last on air in a pre-recorded Valentine’s special on Sunday, just weeks after being made an MBE for services to radio.
Veteran BBC radio presenter and broadcasting “legend” Steve Wright has died at the age of 69.
Wright hosted shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades and was last on air hosting a pre-recorded Valentine’s show on Sunday, the BBC said. He died on Monday.
Paying tribute, his family said in a statement: “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.”
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 added: “He loved radio, and he loved the BBC, but most of all… he loved his audience.”
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Former BBC radio colleagues including 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”.
Totally shocked to hear the news about the great Steve Wright. We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE. An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio.
— Ken Bruce (@RealKenBruce) February 13, 2024
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/steve-wright-bbc-radio-presenter-has-died-13070797