Steve Wright death – latest: Sunday Love Songs returns for first time without legendary DJ

LIVE – Updated at 15:19

Sunday Love Songs the flagship radio show pioneered by Steve Wright has returned to the airwaves for the first time since the legendary DJ’s death at the age of 69.

Presenting a special episode of the show on Sunday morning, Liza Tarbuck said the show was going on but “without the chief”.

Wright’s final show was last Sunday, when he hosted a pre-recorded special Valentine’s Day edition of his Love Songs programme.

Tarbuck was heard to get emotional as she said: “Good morning to you we are live in Wogan House.

“This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs without the chief… without our genius friend.”

She then launched into Luther Vandross’ classic Never Too Much.

The veteran presenter, known for fronting Top of the Pops and Pick of the Pops, hosted shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades. His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Starting his radio career in the 1970s, Wright gained nationwide recognition for his Steve Wright in the Afternoon show, which ran for more than 35 years.

Follow live updates below.

Key Points

The Independent’s Steve Wright tribute
An emotional Sara Cox remembers Wright on air
‘Pick of the Pops’ and ‘Love Songs’ tribute episodes aired over the weekend in memory of Wright
Wright’s former co-host calls him ‘the sound of my life’

Chris Evans speaks of ‘black hole’ left after DJ’s death in emotional tribute

15:19 , Barney Davis

Chris Evans has penned an emotional tribute to Steve Wright after he reveals he was informed of his friend’s death when a news producer asked him for a reaction quote.

He wrote in The Sunday Times: “What followed was one of those emotional black holes that only the news of someone’s death, who you care about, can create. I was in total shock. My body became immediately heavy, almost unbearably so. My thoughts didn’t know whether to turn left or right. And as for my heart? It completely shut down. ‘No, not Steve, that’s not possible.’ I was completely unwilling to even begin to process the simple fact I’d just been told.”

He added: “After five minutes of staring into space, while the kids were playing and screaming around me and my wife was getting showered for dinner, I called my friend and colleague Mike Cass who I work with at Virgin Radio. He felt exactly the same as I did. We tried to talk each other down. During our conversation, Mike said he had come across a fantastic early black and white image of a youthful Steve, back in his early days at Radio 1. It’s the one I posted on Instagram early on Tuesday evening.”

Listeners in bits at tribute to Steve Wright on Sunday Love Songs

13:31 , Barney Davis

Here is a selection of listeners’ emotional social media posts mourning the loss of the late, great Steve Wright as his radio show Sunday Love Songs somehow presses on without the legend at the helm.

Liza Tarbuck hailed for stepping in to Sunday Love Songs

13:30 , Barney Davis

Comedian Liza Tarbuck has won acclaim from BBC Radio 2 listeners after she stepped in to host Sunday Love Songs on February 18 in late DJ Steve Wright’s honour.

As Tarbuck opened the show, her voice sounded broken up as she said: “This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs but without the chief, without our genius friend.

“So while you’re getting a tissue, I think it would be lovely if you lit him a candle. I make no apologies if I get upset over the next two hours and I don’t think you should either.”

People listening to the Radio 2 show across the nation expressed their grief and showered Tarbuck with acclaim.

“Really moving Sunday Love Songs so brilliantly presented by Liza Tarbuck. You really did Steve Wright MBE proud. Radio can be such a powerful medium for connecting people. Well done,” Colette wrote on X.

Steve Wright’s final radio broadcast

13:00 , Jacob Stolworthy

Wright’s final episode saw the legendary DJ deliver a pre-Valentine’s show, as he happily sang along to familiar songs and read out listeners’ shout-outs for their loved ones.

He was his jolly self as he cracked jokes in between songs and hummed along to their tunes.

At the end of the show, the radio legend signed off by saying: “That’s it today for Love Songs.“

“I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ra then.”

Wright played a selection of romantic hits from the Sixties through to the present day, including Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want to Be With You”, Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream” and “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.

Steve Wright’s final radio show saw hosting legend sing along to favourite love songs

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

12:00 , Jacob Stolworthy

Wright’s brother Laurence, 65, blamed his brother’s death on his diet and overall “lifestyle choices”.

“He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously, we all wish he had,” Laurence, a director of a company in the health industry, said.

Tom Murray reports:

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Liza Tarbuck gets emotional as she takes over Sunday Love Songs from the late Steve Wright

11:38 , Barney Davis

Presenting a special episode of the show Liza Tarbuck said Sunday Love Songs was going on but “without the chief”.

Wright’s final show was last Sunday, when he hosted a pre-recorded special Valentine’s Day edition of his Love Songs programme.

Tarbuck was heard to get emotional as introduced the show saying “Good morning to you we are live in Wogan House.

“This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs without the chief… without our genius friend.”

She then launched into Luther Vandross’ classic Never Too Much after reading tributes to the legendary DJ.

Les Dennis posted on X: “Liza Tarbuck doing an amazing job on Sunday Love Songs. The love for Steve from listeners is palpable. The loss of this great broadcaster is so huge and raw.”

Gary Davies pays tribute to Steve Wright in first ‘Pick of the Pops’ episode since DJ’s death

11:00 , Jacob Stolworthy

Gary Davies gave an emotional tribute to the late BBC DJ Steve Wright in the first episode of Radio 2’s Pick of the Pops since the broadcaster’s death.

Davies nearly choked up as he dedicated the show to Wright, whom he called a “broadcasting giant”.

Opening the show, he said: “On numerous occasions over the last 40 years, I’ve sat in for Steve when he was on holiday and I’m still finding it hard to come to terms with why I’m sitting in for him for just one final day today.”

Gary Davies dedicates ‘Pick of the Pops’ episode to Steve Wright in a moving tribute

Radio 2 airs special ‘Sunday Love Songs’ broadcast in honour of Wright

10:00 , Jacob Stolworthy

An emotional Liza Tarbuck hosted a special episode of Wright’s beloved radio series, Sunday Love Songs, on Sunday (18 February).

She hailed the late DJ as a “genius” and asked listeners to light a candle in his memory, saying: “This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs without the chief”.

Tarbuck said she “makes no apology” for getting upset throughout the two-hour broadcast.

Wright’s son pays tribute to father

09:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

Steve Wright’s son Tom has shared a tribute to his father during what he described as an “intense few days”.

He said on Sunday (18 February): “God rest your soul Dad, and thank you for all you for all the kind words from all the lives he touched and people that loved him; It’s gonna be an intense few days, so catching up and hearing from old friends and new would mean more than anything else right now too.

“Rough as it may be, I thank the Gods I’m sober, as this would have straight up killed me even a couple of years ago after losing Mum over the pandemic in the same way without.

“Still, I will cherish every moment we shared and every memory we made, and it’s not like I don’t have a few shows to be working through whenever I miss his voice, though tears me up too much now to consider…

“But it means the world hearing from so many beloved friends of his and mine and I only hope to make him proud; and build on his legacy with kindness and love anyways I can! Love you all and miss you already Dad. getting to see him before he #ConnectionAsCure passed after flying back to take care of the old Blighter.”

Wright’s friend was ‘due to meet’ with him on the day he died

09:04 , Jacob Stolworthy

Gavin McCoy, a former BBC Radio Bedfordshire presenter who had been friends with the DJ since 1976, has revealed that he was due to meet up with Wright on the day he died.

McCoy told the BBC that Wright cancelled the arrangement due to “feeling a bit under the weather”.

He says he “didn’t think anything more about it” until Wright’s daughter told him his friend had died.

Gary Davies pays tribute to Steve Wright in first ‘Pick of the Pops’ episode since DJ’s death

08:04 , Ellie Muir

Gary Davies gave an emotional tribute to the late BBC DJ Steve Wright in the first episode of Radio 2’s Pick of the Pops since the broadcaster’s death.

Davies nearly choked up as he dedicated the show to Wright, whom he called a “broadcasting giant”.

Gary Davies dedicates ‘Pick of the Pops’ episode to Steve Wright in a moving tribute

Jo Whiley shares tribute about Steve Wright’s generosity that ‘sums him up’

06:04 , Ellie Muir

Jo Whiley has shared a sweet anecdote about Wright’s generosity that she said “sums him up”.

Whiley shared a picture of Wright standing next to the BBC Radio logo, as she recalled an occasion when the radio host went out of his way to give her sister Frances – who is a huge fan of Wright’s work – a personalised Christmas present.

BBC Radio DJ Jo Whiley shares Steve Wright tribute that ‘sums him up’

Vernon Kay fights back in tears during BBC Radio 2 tribute to Steve Wright

00:04 , Ellie Muir Saturday 17 February 2024 22:04 , Ellie Muir

Wright had plans to “start a new BBC radio show” before his tragic death, his friend and colleague Paul Gambaccini has revealed.

Steve Wright had plans to ‘start new BBC radio show’ before tragic death

Tomorrow’s ‘Love Songs’ will go ahead, but with special tribute

Saturday 17 February 2024 21:03 , Ellie Muir

Liza Tarbuck will present a Remembering Steve Wright episode of his show Love Songs on Sunday (18 February), and will read out messages from those who’ve had their dedications featured on the show in the past.

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Saturday 17 February 2024 20:02 , Ellie Muir

Wright’s brother Laurence, 65, blamed his brother’s death on his diet and overall “lifestyle choices”.

“He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously, we all wish he had,” Laurence, a director of a company in the health industry, said.

Tom Murray reports:

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

BBC listeners praise Gary Davies for emotional ‘Pick of the Pops’ tribute

Saturday 17 February 2024 19:03 , Ellie Muir

Gary Davies pays tribute to Steve Wright in first ‘Pick of the Pops’ episode since DJ’s death

Saturday 17 February 2024 18:02 , Ellie Muir

Gary Davies gave an emotional tribute to the late BBC DJ Steve Wright in the first episode of Radio 2’s Pick of the Pops since the broadcaster’s death.

Davies nearly choked up as he dedicated the show to Wright, whom he called a “broadcasting giant”.

Read the full story here:

Gary Davies dedicates ‘Pick of the Pops’ episode to Steve Wright in a moving tribute

Wright had plans to ‘start new BBC radio show’ before death

Saturday 17 February 2024 16:03 , Ellie Muir

Wright had plans to “start a new BBC radio show” before his tragic death, his friend and colleague Paul Gambaccini has revealed.

Watch the interview here:

Steve Wright had plans to ‘start new BBC radio show’ before tragic death

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Saturday 17 February 2024 14:04 , Ellie Muir

Wright’s brother Laurence, 65, has blamed his brother’s death on his diet and overall “lifestyle choices”.

“He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously, we all wish he had,” Laurence, a director of a company in the health industry, said.

Tom Murray reports:

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

BBC Radio 1 listeners remember Steve Wright

Saturday 17 February 2024 13:15 , Ellie Muir

Emotional tributes for Wright pour in as ‘Pick of the Pops’ tribute episode airs

Saturday 17 February 2024 13:15 , Ellie Muir

BBC Sounds launches ‘Remembering Steve Wright’ section

Saturday 17 February 2024 13:14 , Ellie Muir

BBC Sounds has made a “Remembering Steve Wright” section on its site, which contains an extensive back catalogue of Wright’s shows over the years.

You can find it here.

Listeners praise Gary Davies for ‘touching’ tribute to Wright on ‘Pick of the Pops’

Saturday 17 February 2024 13:12 , Ellie Muir

Gary Davies nearly chokes up presenting tribute episode of ‘Pick of the Pops’

Saturday 17 February 2024 13:11 , Ellie Muir

“Steve, this is for you,” were the words Davies said as he paid tribute to the late Pick of the Pops presenter Steve Wright.

Davies nearly choked up as he introduced the programme, which was last presented by Wright a few days before his death.

The programme, which is airing on BBC Radio 2 right now, is charting the year 1980 – the year Wright joined BBC Radio 1.

So far in the show, Davies has played recordings from Wright’s first broadcast on the show.

‘Pick of the Pops’ and ‘Love Songs’ tribute episodes to air as BBC Radio dedicates coverage to Wright this weekend

Saturday 17 February 2024 13:00 , Ellie Muir

Today at 1pm, Gary Davies will present a special episode of Pick of the Pops on BBC Radio 2, a show that Wright presented. Davies will play the charts from today in 1980 – the year that Wright joined BBC Radio 1.

On Sunday, Liza Tarbuck will present a Remembering Steve Wright episode of his show Love Songs, speaking to people who had their love letters read out by Wright and remembering some of his most iconic moments presenting the programme.

BBC Radio 4 pays tribute to Wright by asking hosts to pick favourite love songs

Saturday 17 February 2024 12:03 , Ellie Muir

BBC Radio 4’s Today programme paid tribute to Wright on Saturday morning (17 February) by asking presenters to pick their favourite love songs.

Wright hosted a weekly Sunday programme called Love Songs, in which he would interact with listeners and share their messages for their loved ones.

His last broadcast before his death was a pre-Valentine’s special of the Love Songs show.

Steve Wright’s final radio show saw hosting legend sing along to favourite love songs

BBC airs four episodes of ‘Top of the Pops’ with Steve Wright

Saturday 17 February 2024 10:32 , Ellie Muir

Last night, the BBC paid tribute to Wright by airing four episodes of Top of the Pops that the presented hosted.

At the end, it displayed an image of Wright with the dates 1954 – 2024.

DJ’s brother blames death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Saturday 17 February 2024 06:45 , Tom Murray

Wright’s brother, Laurence, has given an interview to the Daily Mail in which he blames his brother’s death on his diet and overall “lifestyle choices”.

“He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously we all wish he had,” Laurence, a director of a company in the health industry, said.

“It’s like anyone who doesn’t look after themselves over an extended period. The normal stuff – diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress – he was a very stoic kind of guy as well so if he had something wrong with him and he had to go to have some treatment or go to the doctors, he wouldn’t talk about it.”

Wright was found dead by paramedics at his central London flat on Monday morning, according to reports – but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Steve Wright had plans to ‘start new BBC radio show’ before death, says Paul Gambuccini

Saturday 17 February 2024 04:30 , Tom Murray

Steve Wright’s final BBC Radio 2 show saw hosting legend sing along to favourite love songs

Saturday 17 February 2024 17:07 , Ellie Muir

The late BBC Radio host Steve Wright’s final episode saw the legendary DJ deliver a pre-Valentine’s show, as he happily sang along to familiar songs and read out listeners’ shout-outs for their loved ones.

Full story below:

Steve Wright’s final radio show saw hosting legend sing along to favourite love songs

BBC to rebroadcast Wright’s final ‘Top of the Pops’ shows

Saturday 17 February 2024 00:39 , Tom Murray

On Thursday, the BBC announced that Wright’s Top of the Pops debut from 1980 would be shown on BBC Four in memory of the presenter.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We’ve been remembering Steve on air all week together with our presenters and listeners, and we’ll continue to celebrate his decades with the BBC this weekend.

“On BBC Four, audiences can catch his first ever Top of the Pops from 1980, on BBC Sounds there’s a special collection and this weekend’s Pick Of The Pops and Sunday Love Songs will be dedicated to Steve, presented by Gary Davies and Liza Tarbuck.”

Wright’s brother suggests DJ was surprised by Radio 2’s decision to replace him with Scott Mills

Saturday 17 February 2024 00:58 , Tom Murray

Elsewhere in his interview with the Daily Mail, Laurence Wright touched on his brother’s 2022 exit from Steve Wright in the Afternoon.

Radio 1’s Scott Mills took over the slot after station head Helen Thomas told Wright she “wanted to do something different” with the afternoon show.

“Steve was very professional about it,” Laurence said of the transition.

“He felt that he’d been at the BBC for 40 years or whatever it was, and you’ve got to move on at some point, and he felt that he was kind of happy to move on, and give someone else a chance.

“That was his view, although he also at the same time thought that it was a little of an unusual decision.

“The BBC, he said, were moving on to younger, more diverse audience, however, it does seem a little mad that the BBC, who is supposed to be an organisation for general entertainment for people, would take off a show that was clearly entertaining people, because of the listenership.”

BBC will rebroadcast Steve Wright’s last Top Of The Pops appearances

Sara Cox pays emotional tribute to Steve Wright: ‘Absolutely shattered’

Friday 16 February 2024 21:53 , Tom Murray

Kermode and Mayo ask listeners to keep saying: ‘Love the show, Steve’

Friday 16 February 2024 20:09 , Tom Murray

Steve Wright’s final sign-off

Friday 16 February 2024 13:50 , Jacob Stolworthy

Steve Wright’s final radio broadcast

Wright’s final episode saw the legendary DJ deliver a pre-Valentine’s show, as he happily sang along to familiar songs and read out listeners’ shout-outs for their loved ones.

He was his jolly self as he cracked jokes in between songs and hummed along to their tunes.

At the end of the show, the radio legend signed off by saying: “That’s it today for Love Songs.“

“I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ra then.”

Steve Wright’s final radio show saw hosting legend sing along to favourite love songs

‘I was injured, miserable and lost – then Steve Wright saved me,’ says Adrian Chiles

Friday 16 February 2024 11:44 , Jacob Stolworthy

Writer and TV presenter Adrian Chiles has written a tribute to Wright, in which he recalls a period in his life when Wright’s voice on the Afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 would lift his spirits.

“If ever I needed a cheering companion at my side, this was the time. And Steve, along with his ‘posse’, was my man. He was friendly and funny,” Chiles wrote in The Guardian.

He recalled writing a fan letter to Wright to thank him but said he had no idea whether the DJ ever received it.

“I didn’t put my address on it, mainly because I was a bit embarrassed about what I had written. I thanked him for his company from the bottom of my heart, and for putting a smile on my face every day in a trying period of my life.”

Five years later, Chiles said he met Wright at an industry event.

“I was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot without anyone to talk to, when I got a tap on the shoulder. Before I knew it, I was listening to the actual Steve Wright telling me how much he enjoyed the TV show, Working Lunch.”

“Once I’d got over my shock and joy, we talked for a while. I saw him every now and then over the years, on and off air. He was always the same: friendly and funny, charmed and charming, interested and interesting.”

Chiles concluded that Wright “spread a great deal of happiness in his time”.

Simon Mayo pays tribute to Steve Wright: ‘One of the true originals’

Friday 16 February 2024 07:05 , Tom Murray

James O’Brien likens Wright’s praise to a ‘papal blessing’

Friday 16 February 2024 05:01 , Tom Murray

“What he did on the radio was extraordinary,” LBC radio host James O’Brien said.

“He was for many people the essence of creative radio”.

Vernon Kay fights back in tears during BBC Radio 2 tribute to Steve Wright

Friday 16 February 2024 03:15 , Tom Murray

Steve Wright’s top tips for being a radio presenter resurface

Friday 16 February 2024 01:26 , Tom Murray

Steve Wright fans have been reflecting on his legacy, with one fan resharing Wright’s top tips for radio presenting.

They include: “Never mention the equipment” and “find different ways to say the same thing”.

‘I was injured, miserable and lost – then Steve Wright saved me,’ says Adrian Chiles

Thursday 15 February 2024 23:32 , Tom Murray

Writer and TV presenter Adrian Chiles has written a tribute to Wright, in which he recalls a period in his life when Wright’s voice on the Afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 would lift his spirits.

“If ever I needed a cheering companion at my side, this was the time. And Steve, along with his ‘posse’, was my man. He was friendly and funny,” Chiles wrote in The Guardian.

He recalled writing a fan letter to Wright to thank him but said he had no idea whether the DJ ever received it.

Five years later, Chiles said he met Wright at an industry event.

Chiles concluded that Wright “spread a great deal of happiness in his time”.

BBC to rebroadcast Wright’s final ‘Top of the Pops’ shows

Thursday 15 February 2024 22:05 , Tom Murray

On Thursday, the BBC announced that Wright’s Top of the Pops debut from 1980 would be shown on BBC Four in memory of the presenter.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We’ve been remembering Steve on air all week together with our presenters and listeners, and we’ll continue to celebrate his decades with the BBC this weekend.

BBC will rebroadcast Steve Wright’s last Top Of The Pops appearances

Wright’s brother suggests DJ was surprised by Radio 2’s decision to replace him with Scott Mills

Thursday 15 February 2024 19:11 , Tom Murray

Elsewhere in his interview with the Daily Mail, Laurence Wright touched on his brother’s 2022 exit from Steve Wright in the Afternoon.

Radio 1’s Scott Mills took over the slot after station head Helen Thomas told Wright she “wanted to do something different” with the afternoon show.

“Steve was very professional about it,” Laurence said of the transition.

“He felt that he’d been at the BBC for 40 years or whatever it was, and you’ve got to move on at some point, and he felt that he was kind of happy to move on, and give someone else a chance.

“That was his view, although he also at the same time thought that it was a little of an unusual decision.

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

DJ’s brother blames death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Thursday 15 February 2024 17:43 , Tom Murray

Wright’s brother, Laurence, has given an interview to the Daily Mail in which he blames his brother’s death on his diet and overall “lifestyle choices”.

“He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously we all wish he had,” Laurence, a director of a company in the health industry, said.

Wright was found dead by paramedics at his central London flat on Monday morning, according to reports – but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Steve Wright’s brother blames DJ’s sudden death on ‘lifestyle choices’

Steve Wright’s death ‘broke’ BBC team, says Jo Whiley

Thursday 15 February 2024 15:31 , Ellie Muir

Wright’s death has left his BBC colleagues “broken”, radio presenter Jo Wiley said, as she paid tribute to “the master of his craft”.

Steve Wright’s death ‘broke’ BBC team says Jo Whiley as she pays emotional tribute

Simon Mayo chokes up as he pays tribute to Steve Wright: ‘One of the true originals’

Thursday 15 February 2024 14:31 , Ellie Muir

‘I was injured, miserable and lost – then Steve Wright saved me,’ says Adrian Chiles in tribute

Thursday 15 February 2024 14:01 , Ellie Muir

Writer and TV presenter Adrian Chiles has written a tribute to Wright, in which he recalls a period in his life when Wright’s voice on the Afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 would lift his spirits.

“If ever I needed a cheering companion at my side, this was the time. And Steve, along with his ‘posse’, was my man. He was friendly and funny,” Chiles wrote in The Guardian.

He recalled writing a fan letter to Wright to thank him but said he had no idea whether the DJ ever received it.

Chiles concluded that Wright “spread a great deal of happiness in his time”.

Jo Whiley shares video of sister Frances receiving Christmas gift from Steve Wright

Thursday 15 February 2024 13:30 , Ellie Muir

Wright had plans to ‘start new BBC radio show’ before death

Thursday 15 February 2024 13:01 , Ellie Muir

Veteran radio presenter Steve Wright had plans to “start a new BBC radio show” before his death, his friend and colleague Paul Gambaccini revealed.

Gambaccini said in an interview with This Morning: “I was due to talk to him tomorrow because of the subject of the new BBC radio stations they were producing and we were the only two people mentioned in the news release.”

Steve Wright had plans to ‘start new BBC radio show’ before tragic death

BBC Radio veteran Tony Blackburn’s tribute to Wright

Thursday 15 February 2024 12:31 , Ellie Muir

Jo Whiley’s sweet anecdote about Wright

Thursday 15 February 2024 12:01 , Ellie Muir

BBC Radio 2 host Jo Whiley has shared a sweet anecdote about Steve Wright’s generosity that she said “sums him up”.

“Just this Xmas I asked [Wright] to record a message for my sister Frances who is obsessed with Pick of The Pops and therefore Steve himself. He didn’t just send a message – he recorded a personalised mini package for her… jingles and all.”

Whiley added that her sister was delighted and listened to the recording “over a hundred million times during the course of Xmas day”.

BBC Radio DJ Jo Whiley shares Steve Wright tribute that ‘sums him up’

Former co-host calls Wright a ‘ringmaster’

Thursday 15 February 2024 11:30 , Ellie Muir

Mike Read, who co-hosted a show called Read and Wright with the DJ on local radio before they moved to Radio 1, told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday that he was a “ringmaster” and “good at pulling people in”.

“He worked tirelessly, he was a radio man not just somebody who turned up, did the show and went home. It was in his mind, always thinking of ideas”.

Steve Wright’s top tips for being a radio presenter resurface

Thursday 15 February 2024 11:00 , Ellie Muir

Steve Wright fans have been reflecting on his legacy, with one fan resharing Wright’s top tips for radio presenting.

They include: “Never mention the equipment” and “find different ways to say the same thing”.

Steve Wright’s final radio broadcast

Thursday 15 February 2024 10:31 , Ellie Muir

Wright’s final episode saw the legendary DJ deliver a pre-Valentine’s show, as he happily sang along to familiar songs and read out listeners’ shout-outs for their loved ones.

He was his jolly self as he cracked jokes in between songs and hummed along to their tunes.

At the end of the show, the radio legend signed off by saying: “That’s it today for Love Songs.“

“I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ra then.”

Steve Wright’s final radio show saw hosting legend sing along to favourite love songs

Vernon Kay pays emotional tribute to Wright during BBC Radio 2 show

Thursday 15 February 2024 10:01 , Ellie Muir

Vernon Kay fought back tears during a special BBC Radio 2 tribute to veteran presenter Steve Wright on Wednesday.

At the end of his show on Wednesday, Kay introduced the BBC Concert Orchestra to play the Wright’s iconic theme tune.

As he introduced the orchestra, Kay had tears in his eyes.

He told listeners: “Alright everyone, deep breath. Now we started the show talking about our good friend Steve Wright and we are going to end it that way as well. So to take out the show and as a mark of respect.”

Dermot O’Leary pays tribute to Wright on ‘This Morning’

Thursday 15 February 2024 09:29 , Ellie Muir

Dermot O’Leary, who has been at Radio 2 for almost two decades, called Wright “kind”, adding on ITV’s This Morning: “I’ll never forget, within my first week, it felt like you’re joining a family.

“People who had no reason to went out of their way, these you know, proper titans of broadcast, went out of the way to make sure you’re welcome. Just go, ‘Hello, young man. How’s it going? You’re doing so well’.

“The pep talk… Just genuinely a really inclusive guy when he really didn’t have to be.”

‘I was injured, miserable and lost – then Steve Wright saved me,’ says Adrian Chiles in tribute

Thursday 15 February 2024 09:01 , Ellie Muir

Writer and TV presenter Adrian Chiles has written a tribute to Wright, in which he recalls a period in his life when Wright’s voice on the Afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 would lift his spirits.

“If ever I needed a cheering companion at my side, this was the time. And Steve, along with his ‘posse’, was my man. He was friendly and funny,” Chiles wrote in The Guardian.

He recalled writing a fan letter to Wright to thank him but said he had no idea whether the DJ ever received it.

Five years later, Chiles said he met Wright at an industry event.

Chiles concluded that Wright “spread a great deal of happiness in his time”.

Steve Wright’s long-term co-host Janey Lee Grace pays tribute to presenter

Thursday 15 February 2024 08:06 , Tom Murray

Chris Evans pays tribute to Wright

Thursday 15 February 2024 07:25 , Tom Murray

Chris Evans has shared a tribute to Steve Wright, calling him “the soundtrack to millions of our afternoons”.

“The former Radio 1 and 2 DJ said Wright was to afternoons what radio legend Sir Terry Wogan was to breakfast.”

Wake Up To Wogan ran on Radio 2 from 1993 to 2009, and was the most-listened-to radio show in the UK.

ICYMI: Wright was found ‘dead by paramedics at home’ as police say death was ‘not suspicious’

Thursday 15 February 2024 06:26 , Tom Murray

Wright was found dead by paramedics at his central London flat on Monday morning, according to reports.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told the Mail Online: “We were called at 10.07am on Monday 12 February to reports of an incident.”

“We sent a number of resources to the scene. Very sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The Independent has contacted the London Ambulance Service for comment.

The Metropolitan Police said they were also called to a flat on Monday morning after the body of a man was found. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

They said the death was unexpected but was not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Vernon Kay fights back in tears during BBC Radio 2 tribute to Steve Wright

Thursday 15 February 2024 04:20 , Tom Murray

Wright’s final Radio 2 show saw him sing along to favourite love songs

Thursday 15 February 2024 03:22 , Tom Murray

Wright’s final episode saw the legendary DJ deliver a pre-Valentine’s show, as he happily sang along to familiar songs and read out listeners’ shout-outs for their loved ones.

He was his jolly self as he cracked jokes in between songs and hummed along to their tunes.

At the end of the show, the radio legend signed off by saying: “That’s it today for Love Songs.“

“I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ra then.”

Jo Whiley says she saw Wright just ‘days ago’

Thursday 15 February 2024 02:21 , Tom Murray

Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley said it was “very strange” to be talking about Steve Wright’s death after seeing him just “days ago”.

At the start of her show on Tuesday, she said it was “extremely hard to know what to say”.

“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 added.

“It’s very hard to find the words to say and to talk about someone in the past tense when it’s someone that you wish was very much still here. So it’s tough. The Radio 2 family are devastated.

“There have been many tears… we’ve all worked with Steve Wright for years and years and years, and it’s just very difficult to take in that he’s no longer here.”

Radio 2 presenters in tears on air after Steve Wright death

Thursday 15 February 2024 01:23 , Tom Murray

Dermot O’Leary pays tribute to Wright on ‘This Morning’

Thursday 15 February 2024 00:24 , Tom Murray

“The pep talk… Just genuinely a really inclusive guy when he really didn’t have to be.”

Jo Whiley’s sweet anecdote about Wright

Wednesday 14 February 2024 23:25 , Tom Murray

BBC Radio 2 host Jo Whiley has shared a sweet anecdote about Steve Wright’s generosity that she said “sums him up”.

Whiley added that her sister was delighted and listened to the recording “over a hundred million times during the course of Xmas day”.

Chris Moyles pays tribute

Wednesday 14 February 2024 21:47 , Tom Murray

On Radio X, Moyles paid tribute to his mentor Steve Wright.

“Cheers, Steve, for everything, we lost you too soon. I can’t quite comprehend I’ll never talk to him again.”

Chris Evans shares tribute

Wednesday 14 February 2024 19:51 , Tom Murray

“Oh my goodness. What terribly sad news,” Ex-Radio 1 breakfast show host Evans wrote on Instagram.

“It goes without saying that Steve was the soundtrack to millions of our afternoons for decades. Nobody will ever come close to the length and breadth of the way he encompassed all things entertainment, in his own highly original and light hearted style.“He was to afternoons as Sir Terry was to breakfast. One half of the greatest morning and evening, drive time, double act UK radio has ever had the amazing good fortune of having on its airwaves.”

Former co-host calls Wright a ‘ringmaster’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 19:16 , Tom Murray

“He worked tirelessly, he was a radio man not just somebody who turned up, did the show and went home. It was in his mind, always thinking of ideas”.

DJ Nicki Chapman moved to tears

Wednesday 14 February 2024 18:48 , Tom Murray

Chapman, who is filling in for Zoe Ball on Radio 2’s breakfast show this week, was moved to tears on air.

“I said to myself I wasn’t going to cry and I have done it once,” she said as she read out messages from listeners. “The tears are there but hopefully they are not going to keep falling.”

Earlier in the show, Chapman said: “It is so difficult to sum up what Steve meant to all of us.

“The devastatingly sad news has come as a complete shock.

“Everyone seems to have such fond memories of our Wrighty because that’s how we viewed and that’s how we listened to him. He was ours.

“He was our mate, talking to us in our kitchens as we made a brew, in our bedrooms, in the shower, in our cars, taxis, lorries, in our form rooms at school, in our gardens, at work – he was always in our hearts.”

steve wright death – latest: sunday love songs returns for first time without legendary dj

Nicki Chapman (Getty Images)

Simon Mayo chokes up as he pays tribute to Steve Wright: ‘One of the true originals’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 17:30 , Ellie Muir

Simon Mayo choked up as he spoke about Steve Wright during his radio show on Tuesday 13 February.

Tributes have been flooding in for Wright, a legendary DJ who presented shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than 40 years, after his death at the age of 69.

“He was one of the true originals of music radio. I loved his shows. I know a lot of you did as well,” Mayo said, announcing the news to his Greatest Hits Radio listeners.

“It was a thrill to be on the same radio stations as him. He’ll be much missed.”

Jo Whiley shares tribute about Steve Wright’s generosity that ‘sums him up’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 16:50 , Ellie Muir

Whiley shared a sweet anecdote about Wright’s generosity that she said “sums him up”.

“Just this Xmas I asked [Wright] to record a message for my sister Frances who is obsessed with Pick of The Pops and therefore Steve himself.”

“He didn’t just send a message – he recorded a personalised mini package for her… jingles and all.”

Whiley added that her sister was delighted and listened to the recording “over a hundred million times during the course of Xmas day”.

“And that sums him up,” she added.

BBC Radio DJ Jo Whiley shares Steve Wright tribute that ‘sums him up’

Wright was found ‘dead by paramedics at home’ as police say death was ‘not suspicious’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 15:24 , Ellie Muir

Wright was found dead by paramedics at his central London flat on Monday morning, according to reports.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told MailOnline: “We were called at 10.07am on Monday 12 February to reports of an incident.”

“We sent a number of resources to the scene. Very sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The Independent has contacted the London Ambulance Service for comment.

Wright’s former co-host calls him ‘the sound of my life’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 13:29 , Jacob Stolworthy

In an interview with Sky News, Steve Wright’s co-host of 24 years, Janey Lee Grace, said she was “absolutely devastated” and had been “falling apart for the last few hours”.

“He was just so funny and we really didn’t stop laughing for the 24 years we worked together,” she said.

“It is just such a loss because he really was such a legend.”

“He was a perfectionist and he really, really cared about what he put out there,” she added.

“He was incredibly relatable… he always fought so hard to make sure everything we ever did was completely relatable to everyone,” she said.

“He was one of a kind in terms of honing his craft. The stuff you heard on the radio had been literally hours and hours, if not days, in planning.”

Noel Edmonds ‘mourns’ loss of ‘marvellous Wright

Wednesday 14 February 2024 12:59 , Jacob Stolworthy

Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of This Morning (14 February, Noel Edmonds said: “Steve was one of those very small band – [Terry] Wogan being one of them – who was a brilliant communicator.

“The thing about being a communicator is you are born with it, you can’t fake it. The microphone or the camera will find you if you are trying to be something you’re not and I think the reason why so many people are genuinely distressed by this premature departure is that Steve was a friend, because he could communicate.”

He added: “I mourn the passing of this great talent, this marvellous man. He had integrity, he had sincerity, he had this incredible commitment to the people he would never meet. We are unfortunately coming,

“I think, to the end of that radio era, so please cherish the Ken Bruces and the Tony Blackburns and the Gambos. Cherish them, because we’re coming to the end of an era.”

Jo Whiley’s sweet anecdote about Wright

Wednesday 14 February 2024 12:29 , Jacob Stolworthy

BBC Radio 2 host Jo Whiley has shared a sweet anecdote about Steve Wright’s generosity that she said “sums him up”.

Whiley added that her sister was delighted and listened to the recording “over a hundred million times during the course of Xmas day”.

Scott Mills: ‘Steve Wright is one of our greatest ever broadcasters’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 09:59 , Jacob Stolworthy

Scott Mills, who took over Wright’s Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022, wrote: “Steve Wright is one of our greatest ever broadcasters.

“He made everything sound effortless, and worked so hard to make every show world class. He was a constant inspiration to me on how to do radio that sounded big.

“When I first started doing shows at Radio 2, he and I spent hours reminiscing about his days at Radio 1, and I would listen to his stories and wisdom in awe. My thoughts are with his family and my colleagues who have worked with him for so many years.

“Steve, you’re the best to ever do it.”

Jo Whiley says she saw Wright just ‘days ago’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 08:59 , Jacob Stolworthy

Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley said it was “very strange” to be talking about Steve Wright’s death after seeing him just “days ago”.

At the start of her show, she said it was “extremely hard to know what to say”.

“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 added.

“There have been many tears… we’ve all worked with Steve Wright for years and years and years, and it’s just very difficult to take in that he’s no longer here.”

Alex Jones pays tribute on ‘The One Show’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 08:29 , Jacob Stolworthy

“As part of the Radio 2 family, I know how shocked and upset everybody will be feeling,” Alex Jones said at the start of Tuesday’s episode of The One Show (13 February).

“Steve had such a strong connection with his listeners and has been a familiar voice in people’s lives for many many years – lots of us, really, since we were children.”

She added: “We’re still in shock at the news really, and tomorrow we’ll pay a bigger tribute to Steve on the show.”

Greg James hails ‘king of jingles’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 07:59 , Tom Murray

Radio 1 DJ Greg James wrote on X: “Steve was always so excited and interested to hear about what was going on at Radio 1 whenever we chatted. And I felt so lucky to be able to nerd out about radio with him.

“He essentially started the ‘zoo format’ in UK that you now hear everywhere. A true pioneer.

“Oh my god and that theme tune – iconic. Long live THE BIG SHOW.”

Paul Gambaccini calls Wright ‘one of the all time greats’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 07:19 , Tom Murray

In an Instagram video, fellow radio host Gambaccini said: “He (Wright) was not only the best at what he did, he was basically the only at what he did.”

Alison Moyet calls Steve Wright’s death ‘the end of an era’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 06:21 , Tom Murray

Singer Alison Moyet said Steve Wright’s death “marks the end of an era”.

“Indefatigable and spirited. A kind, good natured, generous presence welcoming us into the airwaves of our days, Goodbye Mr. I’m glad you were there,” she wrote.

Jack Dee calls Wright ‘a one-man best ever audience’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 05:20 , Tom Murray

The comedian Jack Dee has paid tribute to Steve Wright, saying: “Very sad news about Steve Wright. I was lucky enough to go on his show many times. He was so generous and fun. A one-man best ever audience, he had that rare gift of making being interviewed fun. RIP friend.”

Sara Cox pays emotional tribute to Steve Wright: ‘Absolutely shattered’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 04:23 , Tom Murray

Wright’s former co-host calls him ‘the sound of my life’

Wednesday 14 February 2024 03:24 , Tom Murray

In an interview with Sky News, Steve Wright’s co-host of 24 years, Janey Lee Grace, said she was “absolutely devastated” and had been “falling apart for the last few hours”.

“He was just so funny and we really didn’t stop laughing for the 24 years we worked together,” she said.

“It is just such a loss because he really was such a legend.”

“He was a perfectionist and he really, really cared about what he put out there,” she added.

“He was incredibly relatable… he always fought so hard to make sure everything we ever did was completely relatable to everyone,” she said.

“He was one of a kind in terms of honing his craft. The stuff you heard on the radio had been literally hours and hours, if not days, in planning.”

The Independent pays tribute: ‘Steve Wright was a friend you only had to switch on your radio to summon’

Tuesday 13 February 2024 20:50 , Tom Murray

Kevin E G Perry has paid tribute to Wright, calling him “a friend you only had to switch on your radio to summon”.

Perry writes: “In September 2022, when Steve Wright signed off from his final afternoon show on Radio 2, he did it with good humour and characteristic charm. ‘Last show,’ he said as it opened. ‘Bit of pressure. Got to make it a good one, everybody.’

“It was hard to imagine that Wright, who has died at the age of 69, was really feeling the pressure. After all, he had spent 40 years on daytime national radio, redefining the medium on BBC Radio One before moving to Radio 2 for another 23 years as the nation’s constant and beloved companion, a wild, joyful friend you only had to switch on your radio to summon.”

Read The Independent’s full tribute to the late radio icon here:

Steve Wright was a friend to the nation, only a radio dial away