DJ Steve Wright, who hosted shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for over four decades, has reportedly died at the age of 69.
His family confirmed his death in a statement on Tuesday, expressing “deep sorrow and profound regret.”
Wright joined the BBC in the 1970s and later hosted the afternoon shows on Radio 1 and Radio 2.
He also hosted television shows for the BBC, including Top of the Pops.
Wright last appeared on television on Sunday, anchoring a pre-recorded special Valentine’s Day edition of his Love Songs show. He went away on Monday.
In her tribute to him on Radio 2 after his death was announced, an emotional Sara Cox said: “It’s really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright’s passing, except we are all shocked, devastated, and blindsided by this news.
“Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really kind person; he was witty, he was warm, and he was a huge, huge part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will all be absolutely shattered too.”
Fellow Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley began her programme by saying it felt “very strange” to be doing a tribute to Wright.
“It’s extremely hard to know what to say, and to be talking about someone that you saw only days ago in this very studio where I am right now—doing a tribute show to that person just does not feel right,” she told her listeners.
Wright, born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954, began his career at the BBC as a clerk. Wright’s broadcasting career began in 1976, when he left the BBC to join Radio 210 in Reading.
Four years later, he joined BBC Radio 1, presenting weekend shows until creating Steve Wright in the Afternoon in 1981, which would define his career.
After a year anchoring the Radio 1 breakfast programme in 1994, he departed to join Talk Radio but returned to the BBC in 1996.
He began broadcasting a Saturday programme and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 in 1996 before resuming his afternoon show in 1999, which he would maintain until 2022.
The show had its own distinct zoo format, with contributions from Wright’s on-air “posse” as well as celebrity interviews and humorous trivia in his Factoids segment.
Scott Mills took over the afternoon show during a series of scheduling adjustments at the station in 2022, but Wright remained with Radio 2, presenting Sunday Love Songs as well as a series of specials and podcasts.
