RADIO legend Steve Wright “was dismissed by the BBC and treated like a can of beans”, claims Liz Kershaw.
The veteran DJ, who introduced Steve Wright in the afternoon and fronted Top of the Pops, died this week aged 69.
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BBC legend Steve Wright pictured after being axed from his show in 2022 Credit: BBC
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His heartbroken family announced his death Credit: Getty
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Former Beeb presenter Liz Kershaw has slammed BBCCredit: GBN Live
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Wright, shown in 1980, was on the air for decades Credit: Rex
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Steve was last pictured with friend Anthony James in New York four weeks ago
Wright was kicked out of his 2022 Afternoon Show slot.
Speaking about the shock move, the DJ said at the time: “Sometimes people want you, sometimes they don’t.
“Sometimes there are changes and they give you another offer – and that’s OK. I understand that, I really do.”
But now Liz Kershaw, who has worked at the Beeb for more than 30 years, has slammed the BBC this morning for its ‘shabby’ treatment of Steve.
Speaking on GB News, she said: “The new management said we’re going to refresh the timetable – and they’re treating people like tins of beans on the 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.”
Wright’s family revealed his death to the world yesterday.
His grieving loved ones said: “It is with deep sadness and deep regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright.
‘It’s like a family bereavement,’ says Sara Cox as she fights back tears during an emotional Morning Live tribute to Steve Wright
“In addition to his son Tom and daughter Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother Laurence and father Richard.
“Also, beloved close friends and colleagues, and the millions of devoted radio listeners who have had the good fortune and great pleasure of letting Steve enter 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 extremely difficult time.”
He was to host a new BBC spin-off show as the broadcaster planned to launch four new stations.
Steve joined the BBC in the 1970s and spent four decades presenting his favorite afternoon shows.
He also hosted TV programs for the broadcaster, including Top of the Pops.
Compliments poured in from colleagues, including host Sara Cox.
Read more:
She said: “It’s really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright’s death other than we are all shocked, devastated and blindsided by this news.
“Steve was an outstanding broadcaster, a really kind person, he was funny, he was warm and he was a big, big part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will be absolutely devastated too.”
Zoe Ball said: “Wrighty. Our radio friend, our inspiration, broadcasting master, Godfather, always there for us all with support, advice, love and most importantly laughter, rest well, wonderful magical man.
“Life won’t be the same without you here I love you my friend hero.”
Jo Whiley wrote: “What a man. What a legend.
“Broadcaster’s broadcaster.
“One of the kindest and loveliest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.
“Thank you for the support and musical conversation over the years.
“I can’t believe we won’t be meeting in the bowels of MV for our weekly chat. Love you Wrighty.”
They treat people like cans of beans on a shelf.
Liz Kershaw on the BBC
Chris Evans, who was also a Radio 1 and 2 stalwart for years before joining Virgin Radio, said Wright was to afternoons like Sir Terry Wogan to breakfast.
Wake Up To Wogan on Radio 2 ran from 1993 to 2009 and was the most listened to radio show in the UK.
Evans wrote on Instagram: “Oh my God. What terribly sad news.
“It goes without saying that Steve has been the soundtrack to millions of our afternoons for decades.
“Nobody will ever come close to the way he embraced all things fun, in his very original and relaxed style.
“He was to the afternoon what Sir Terry was to breakfast.”
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.
Steve was last pictured with friend Anthony James in New York four weeks ago.
The musician posted the photo on Xu, with the caption: “I can’t sleep.
“Thinking of my dear friend Steve. We took this picture 4 weeks ago in New York. ]
“We were trying to do, as he said, ‘ironic selfies.'” He had such a love for life and radio.
“He said to me ‘AJ blonde hair has to go!’ I miss her.”
A Radio 2 spokesman told The Sun: “Steve was much loved by the family and Radio 2 listeners, and for almost three decades he hosted a string of brilliant shows on the network enjoyed by millions.
“In addition to his past Saturday and afternoon shows, Steve’s Sunday Love Songs has been on air since 1996, and more recently Steve has also hosted the legendary Pick of the Pops on Saturdays, alongside various Radio 2 specials, and Steve Wright: The Best of the Guests, Steve Wright’s Summer Nights and Steve Wright’s Love Songs Extra on BBC Sounds. He will be greatly missed.”
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Steve was loved by all his former colleagues
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Wright was photographed outside in 2021 with a briefcase in hand – wearing a brightly colored tie Credit: MagicmomentsUK
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