STEVE Wright’s brother has spoken out about the radio star’s cause of death and claimed he was fighting a hidden health battle.
The veteran radio presenter died aged 69 and was found dead in his London flat on Monday.
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Veteran host Steven Wright has tragically passed away
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Steve was a beloved radio icon and personality Credit: Alamy
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Broadcasting legend, Steve, has been described as the last ‘of the old guard’Credit: Rex Features
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Steve’s brother claimed his diet and battle with secret health problems caused his deathCredit: Getty
Police and paramedics rushed to the flat in the Marylebone district of central London on Monday morning.
But officers said Steve’s death was “not being treated as suspicious” after he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His heartbroken brother Laurence Wright, 65, has now blamed the BBC star’s death on his poor diet, reports MailOnline.
Laurence says Steve’s penchant for eating out in restaurants combined with his reluctance to talk about various “health issues” were major factors behind his shocking death.
Laurence, director of a company in the health industry, said: “He was aware that he could have taken better care of himself, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously we all wish he had.
“It’s like anyone who doesn’t take care of themselves for a long time.”
His devastated sibling added that Steve was a “stoic” man who did not complain and kept his family in the dark about his health.
Laurence added: “The usual things – diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress – he was also a very stoic guy, so if something was wrong with him, he had to go to treatment or go to the doctor, he wouldn’t talk about it.
This Morning’s Dermot O’Leary pays heartfelt tribute to friend Steve Wright live on air as he is joined by radio legends
“He was a guy who would just carry on, worry about it, not talk about it, not make a big deal out of it, that kind of stoic attitude.
“That’s just the way he was – that probably didn’t help, because he wouldn’t necessarily have had help or taken advice.”
Celebrity publicist Gary Farrow told The Sun his 40-year-old friend was “devastated” to lose the hugely popular Radio 2 two years ago.
However, Garry added that his friend has no real health issues to speak of.
But he admitted that Steve’s diet could have been better.
He exclusively told The Sun: “As far as I know, he hasn’t had any real health problems – he’s always been taking his vitamins and taking his pills.
“Sure, 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.”
Gary slammed BBC bosses who deemed Steve “too old”, saying there was no one more “current”.
He told how his “painfully shy” friend “needed an arm around the shoulder” from his bosses – but it never came.
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.
Gary continued: “He would spend hours and hours doing research before the show, checking out guests and doing his 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.”
It was also claimed that he “died of a broken heart” after being dropped by the BBC.
The veteran disc jockey hosted the Afternoon program for 12 years on Radio 1 and another 23 years on Radio 2.
His last appearance was on Sunday, when he pre-recorded a Valentine’s Day special from his program Love Songs.
There, Wright shared his favorite romantic songs.
During the performance, the legend signed off saying, “I’ll be back next Sunday for more love songs.
– Ta-ta then.
His Sunday Love Songs show has “delighted millions of listeners”, Radio 2 presenter Helen Thomas said this afternoon.
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.”
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.”
Steve was known for introducing Steve Wright on The Afternoon and fronting Top of the Pops.
In a statement released Tuesday, 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 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.”
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.”
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Steve was last pictured with friend Anthony James in New York four weeks ago
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The star was last photographed after being axed from his show in 2022 Credit: BBC
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