Police said Steve Wright’s death was “unexpected” but “is not being treated as suspicious”.
The veteran radio host died this week at the age of 69, the BBC announced on Tuesday.
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Steve Wright’s death is being treated as “unexpected” but not suspicious, police said. Credit: BBC
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Friends said Steve ‘died of a broken heart’ after being dumped by the BBCCredit: Getty
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Steve was last pictured with friend Anthony James in New York four weeks ago
Police and paramedics were called to a flat in Marylebone in central London on Monday morning.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “A man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
“The death was unexpected but is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.”
A spokesman for London’s Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to the address following “reports of an incident”.
They added: “We sent a number of resources to the scene. Very sadly, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.”
It comes after his friends claimed he “died of a broken heart” after being dumped by the BBC.
They said he never got over being axed from the Radio 2 afternoon show after 24 years.
Yesterday there was a backlash against the BBC boss responsible for the scheduling shake-up.
In a tribute, Helen Thomas called Steve “overwhelming” — less than 18 months after he axed his hugely popular show in 2022.
‘It’s like a family bereavement,’ says Sara Cox as she fights back tears during an emotional Morning Live tribute to Steve Wright
Celebrity publicist Gary Farrow revealed his 40-year-old friend was “devastated” to lose the hugely popular Radio 2 slot machine two years ago.
Gary slammed BBC bosses who deemed Steve “too old”, saying there was no one more “current”.
He added: “Steve lived for that show, he absolutely loved it – and the listeners loved him. My opinion is that he died of a broken heart.”
BBC listeners and staff were furious yesterday at the “top-notch” tribute to station boss Mrs Thomas, who got rid of Steve and his popular colleagues Paul O’Grady and Ken Bruce.
Steve’s departure from his show after 24 years has seen Radio 2 lose a million listeners.
Gary told how his “painfully shy” friend “needed an arm around the shoulder” from his bosses – but it never came.
He said: “As far as I know, he didn’t have any real health problems – he was always taking his vitamins and taking his pills.
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“Of course, he didn’t really eat broccoli and he loved McDonald’s, but he was the kind of character I don’t think we’ll see again.
“He would spend hours and hours doing research before the show, checking out guests and writing homework. Radio was his life.
“He was Mr. Showbiz. He was the first to discuss and champion new books, movies, records and TV shows, and so progressive in that regard.
“It’s a joke how the BBC could decide it was ‘too old’ or not current enough.
“No one was more current or on the pulse than Steve. There was no one more relevant.”
‘Everyone loved him on and off the air’
He said the broadcasting giant was the last “of the old guard” and radio was “all the poorer because of him”.
Gary, who was due to meet him for lunch tomorrow, continued: “Everyone loved him on and off the air, even though he was actually painfully shy and never wanted to go to those big dos the bosses wanted to kick him out of.
“But he just wanted someone at the BBC to give him a hug here and there and say ‘You’re doing a great job, Steve. We all love you’.”
“But I don’t think anyone has ever done that – that’s all he wanted.
“I will never understand the decision to let him go. It destroyed him.”
It’s corny, it’s hypocritical. They just rejected him.
Liz Kershaw, radio DJ
The national institution lost its legendary Steve Wright to the afternoon show in 2022, with Scott Mills taking over in a bid to attract a younger audience.
That move was called “devilish” at the time.
Steve went on to present Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2.
He signed off the day before his death with poignant final words: “I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday…ta-da then.”
After the tragic news broke, tributes poured in for the radio colossus, while anger rose against the corporation.
Fellow TV presenter Liz Kershaw said yesterday: “It’s corny, it’s hypocritical. He’s just been kicked.
“The new management said we’re going to refresh the schedule – and they’re treating people like tins of beans on a shelf.
“I doubt there was any monitoring, or any pastoral care, or any support for him.
“He didn’t need the money because he was one of the highest paid people on the air.
“But, you know, I wonder if they considered how it affected him.
“There are some people for whom fame and attention are oxygen. And he was one of those people. It was absolutely his life.”
Staff ‘furious’ at earthquake boss
Steve’s departure in 2022, which followed the loss of other beloved stars including Bruce and O’Grady, led to an exodus of listeners.
In October, Radio 2 recorded 13.5 million viewers per week, one million fewer than the year before.
Insiders said yesterday that station staff were “furious” at comments made by Mrs Thomas — responsible for the quake — after Steve’s death.
She described him as a “consummate professional” and said he was “always second to none”.
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BBC listeners and staff have been furious at the ‘top’ tribute to station boss Helen Thomas, who got rid of Steve and popular colleagues Paul O’Grady, right, and Ken Bruce, left
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In a tribute, BBC Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas called Steve ‘overwhelming’ — less than 18 months after she axed his hugely popular show in 2022 Credit: radioacademy.org
The reminder added: “Steve was the first presenter I ever produced, over 20 years ago, and I remember the sheer wonder I felt, sitting opposite this legendary broadcaster whose shows I listened to and admired growing up in Hull.”
Her tribute went down badly with many listeners, including one who posted: “Is that the same Helen Thomas who ripped his soul out when she took his show away?
“I love the tributes from fans/colleagues/friends, but I’m sick of the BBC management bashing Steve because of his age. He’s lost his purpose, so sad.”
Another added: “Shame on Helen Thomas for kicking Steve off his afternoon show for a mediocre replacement. I’m sure it’s had an adverse effect on Steve.
“To this day, I am as annoyed as when he announced that HT wanted to do something differently.
“Terrible mistake Helen and one not to be forgotten.”
One listener wrote: “Helen Thomas comments about Steve Wright. How ironic.
From bullied schoolboy to BBC legend
By Jane Matthews
STEVE Wright went from being a bullied schoolboy cruelly nicknamed ‘Big Nose’ to becoming a BBC radio legend.
Wright was born in Greenwich, London and attended Eastwood High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
There he received the cruel nickname Big Nose and Concorde.
His first job after leaving school was in marine insurance, but after three years he realized it wasn’t for him.
Then Wright left to become a local newspaper reporter.
This led him to the BBC, as a librarian, who then continued his shows – and the rest was history.
But in 2022, he announced that he was retiring from his Afternoon show after more than two decades.
He said at the time: “Before we start the show, if I may, I’d just like to say thank you very much for all the messages that came in over the weekend after I announced on Friday afternoon that we were leaving the afternoon show.”
The ax has taken another step towards his Sunday Love Songs show – on which he last appeared just days ago.
“The BBC doesn’t care what the public thinks about any big man who has been sacked/demoted.
“Your wages are guaranteed whether you do your job right or not. By contrast, you find the talented to be disposable? Ugh.”
Steve, who joined Radio 1 in 1980, discussed the 2022 schedule changes and was usually uncomplaining.
He said: “Earlier this year, my friend and boss Helen Thomas, a Radio 2 presenter, said she wanted to do something different in the afternoon.
“I have been running this program for 24 years on Radio 2, so how can I complain?
“The support and creative freedom I get is fantastic, and I really can’t hold the place forever. So let’s give someone else a chance.”
American composer Anthony James yesterday shared a photo of the pair, believed to be one of the last recorded DJs, wearing a black suit, shirt and tie.
The devastated musician wrote: “Can’t sleep. Thinking of my dear friend Steve. We took this picture four weeks ago in New York.
“We were trying to do, as he said, ‘ironic selfies’, he loved life and work so much.
“He said to me ‘AJ blonde hair has to go!’ I miss #RIPSteveWright.”
Long-time friend Vanessa Feltz said after his death: “The BBC should never have deprived Steve’s listeners of his hugely popular, record-breaking daytime show. They thought they knew better.”
She added on TalkTV yesterday that she found it “funny” when he sang along to the songs he played.
She said: “He would just sing carefree, he would fly in with his chords and some people used to object. But I absolutely loved it.”
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Long-time friend Vanessa Feltz said after his death: ‘The BBC should never have deprived Steve’s listeners of his hugely popular and record-breaking daytime show. They thought they knew better’Credit: Rex
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Speaking about the decision to ax Steve from her afternoon show, fellow TV presenter Liz Kershaw said: ‘It’s corny, it’s hypocritical. They just kicked him’Credit: Francesco Guidicini
TITAN OF AIRWAVES
Author: Amir Razavi
PIONEER Steve reminisced on Radio 1 and 2 yesterday.
Scott Mills, who took over his afternoon slot on Radio 2, said: “I wouldn’t want to start the show today and not talk about Steve.
“What a legend, a titan of broadcasting. A man who made it sound so easy, but worked the hardest of all – to be on this slot will forever be an honour.”
Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James opened his show with Steve’s afternoon tune, calling it “iconic”.
He later said online: “I felt so lucky to be able to geek out on the radio with him.
“He actually started the ‘zoo format’ in the UK that you hear everywhere now. A real pioneer.”
Radio 2’s Vernon Kay said: “Steve would like us to celebrate his life so I’ll be doing the show with a smile on my face and thinking of the great man, Don.
“He was a perfectionist and that’s what we’re going to try to do today.”
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education