Radio and television presenters pay tribute to Steve Wright on-air

Written by Roy Martin
Photo from James Hanson at Times Radio

Radio presenters and friends of Steve Wright have taken time out on the radio and television to pay tribute to the broadcaster who died aged 69.

Steve was found dead at his home in central London on Monday morning, with the news being released on Tuesday afternoon.

BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live were first to react as soon as the news was announced at 5pm on Tuesday, 13th February.

The sad news was shared as an item in BBC Radio 2’s news bulletin at 17:00, whilst 5 Live waited till after the top of hour news, travel and sport sequence before broadcasting the information.

Both stations then spent the following hours hearing from friends and colleagues of Steve Wright in what was an emotional broadcast for all involved.

At Radio 2, Sara Cox paid tribute and kept the music flowing, with songs associated with Steve, and lots of messages from listeners who were in as much shock as station staff.

Guests on 5 Live included Nicky Campbell, Tony Blackburn, Jeremy Vine, Mark Goodier, Lewis MacLeod, Paul Gambaccini, all joining hosts Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell on 5 Live Drive.

Steve’s former Radio 2 colleague Simon Mayo shared the news in an emotional moment on Greatest Hits Radio. Simon said “He was one of the true originals of music radio… I loved his shows and I know a lot of you did as well. It was a thrill to be on the same radio station as him.”

BBC Newsnight also paid tribute with lots of archive video footage and interviews with Steve.

On Wednesday morning, Greg James opened the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with the Steve Wright’s Big Theme, saying there was only going to be one song to start the show.

Chris Moyles paid an emotional tribute to Steve Wright on Radio X, saying he was “a quirky man, but a lovely genuine sweetheart”.

Chris revealed that he and Steve would go for dinner, chat on the phone, and sometimes meet up, having some hilarious conversations.

At Virgin Radio, Jane Middlemiss had a touching tribute with a story being a guest on his show, and added that “The world is a sadder place today without Steve.”

Chris Evans also paid tribute, saying nobody will ever come close to the length and breadth of the way he encompassed all things entertainment, in his highly original and light hearted style.

James Hanson took time out on Times Radio to pay tribute, playing clips from Steve’s show and chatting to David Lloyd.

Sara Cox appeared on BBC Morning Live via video link to share more tributes to the television audience.

On LBC, James O’Brien said: “What he did on the radio was extraordinary. He was for many people the essence of creative radio”. He then compares receiving positive work feedback from him to a ‘papal blessing’.

LBC’s Iain Dale also invited Tony Blackburn on-air last night who said he was a very kind, considerate person. “We used to just talk jingles and things like that.”

Back at Greatest Hits Radio, Mark Goodier spoke about Steve, saying: “He was a very good and loyal friend.”

Jeremy Vine used his television show on Channel 5 and the first hour of his lunch-time phone-in on BBC Radio 2 to share memories. At one moment, Jeremy struggled to carry on, fighting back the tears whilst reading out messages from listeners.

Vernon Kay introduced the BBC Concert Orchestra live on the morning show at BBC Radio 2 to play Steve’s theme.

Paul Gambaccini also appeared on GB News to pay more tributes.

Gavin McCoy, who knew Steve for 40 years, will be on Radio News Hub’s Review of the Week, paying tribute to his best mate who he spoke to virtually every day.

Scott Mills opened his afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 with The Big Show Theme and paid tribute with the return of nonstop oldies.

Jingle producer, voice-over and music composer Anthony James shared a selfie they took four weeks ago in New York. AJ recorded Steve’s Big Show theme and the majority of his music and jingles.

Just yesterday, Aircheck Downloads ironically had a Steve Wright item as Jingle of the Day on X and JingleMad Radio, before the sad news was announced.

Many more radio stations and presenters also paid tribute, including dozens of local BBC and commercial radio services.

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