STEVE Wright was found dead at home by paramedics after being called to an “incident”, it has been reported.
The veteran DJ, who introduced Steve Wright in the afternoon and fronted Top of the Pops, died this week aged 69.
4
Friend Anthony James shared what is believed to be the last picture of WrightCredit: X/@AJMusicProds
4
Steve Wright’s death was announced yesterdayCredit: BBC
Emergency services rushed to the star’s home in Marylebone, central London, just after 10am on Monday, MailOnline reports.
He was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene and his “unexpected” death was not being treated as suspicious.
London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 10.07am on Monday February 12 to reports of an incident.
“We dispatched numerous resources to the scene. Very unfortunately, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Friend Anthony James shared what is believed to be Wright’s last picture – a selfie the pair took together.
James said: “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. I miss him.”
In a statement yesterday, Wright’s family said: “It is with deep sadness and deep 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 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 allowing Steve to 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.”
‘It’s like a family bereavement,’ says Sara Cox as she fights back tears during an emotional Morning Live tribute to Steve Wright
Compliments poured in from colleagues, including host Sara Cox.
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.”
Nicki Chapman was close to tears as she read a tribute to her co-star.
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.”
Read more:
Jo Whiley wrote: “What a man. What a legend.
“Broadcaster’s broadcaster.
“One of the kindest, 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.”
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 with 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.
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.”
4
Wright, shown in 1980, was on the air for decades Credit: Rex
4
His heartbroken family announced his death Credit: Getty
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education