Steve Wright – 1954 to 2024 – Radio industry and listeners pay tribute to the broadcasting legend
Thousands of tributes have been paid to radio presenter Steve Wright who died at the age of 69 yesterday.
The radio industry and listeners alike have been paying tributes on social media.
His friend and colleague Paul Gambaccini has been speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, sharing his shock at the news announced at 5pm by the BBC and Steve’s family.
Paul said how he’d spoken to him over the weekend and even sent two emails to him today, not knowing he’d died the day before.
Steve was last on-air over the weekend, hosting a Valentines special version of his Sunday Love Songs at BBC Radio 2.
Mark Goodier also appeared on 5 Live paying tribute. “He’s gone too young. He always had plans and always had ideas. Nobody ever did anything like Steve did it.”
Tony Blackburn was one of the first to pay tribute to his dear friend, writing on X: “I am so sad that my dear friend Steve Wright has passed away. He was a great broadcaster and we just loved one another’s company. I was shocked at the news and will miss him terribly.”
Ken Bruce: “Totally shocked to hear the news about the great Steve Wright. We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE. An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio.”
Simon Mayo, holding back the tears speaking on Greatest Hits Radio: “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.”
Paul McKenna: “I am beyond sad at the passing of my friend Steve Wright – one of the greatest broadcasters of all time. He had a fantastic sense of humour and was always very kind & encouraging to me. Rest in peace, my friend…”
Michael Ball: “Unbelievably sad and shocking news. He was an inspiration, a cheer leader and a lovely man. A unique and brilliant radio presenter, so funny, creative and supportive. I will miss you friend #RIP SteveWright.”
Steve Penk: “So shocked and saddened by the news about Steve Wright, he was one of our best broadcasters and a lovely guy.
Thanks for all the brilliant radio shows #RIPSteveWright”
Danny Baker: “Steve Wright was a thoroughly good man, a genuine radio star and a loyal chum. This is a dreadful shock.”
Richard Allinson: “Oh no…Steve Wright. One of the kindest, wisest, funniest people I’m humbled to call a friend.”
Vanessa Feltz: “He was energised, enlivened and absolutely full of love and passion and enthusiasm for his job.”
Iain Dale wrote: “I grew up with Steve Wright. He is one of my broadcasting heroes. He phoned me 2 weeks ago just to tell me I’d done a brilliant show the previous night.
“You can imagine what that meant to me. I tried to get him to do an All Talk but he hated talking about himself. Legend.”
Jenny Costello: “Such very sad news. Lovely Steve Wright, such a talent and inspiration to many of us. Thinking of his family and all his radio friends #RIP”
Steve Orchard writes: “What a terrible shock. Steve joined GWR Group in the period of his career between R1 and R2. It wasn’t an easy sell but what swung it was his enthusiasm for coaching our Morning Crews up and down the network. He also did a Sunday show on our stations. Showbiz to a tee, he insisted I sign the contract with him at Cliveden in the grandest of private rooms overlooking the fountain.
“Steve Wright was an inspirational coach. His epic talent, his attention to the minutest of details and his phenomenal work ethic helped us lift the standards of breakfast presentation across our Group. He would arrive at a coaching session with reams of handwritten notes – his observations on the presenters and great examples of how to craft more effective links. Our guys loved him.
“I was fortunate to travel the country with Steve – and wherever we went he was greeted warmly by the public – “I think I’ve reached the status of beloved” he once confided. Over dinners he would share his insight into the top US talent he had studied and of course his love of a good jingle package.
“Steve was so funny – we were like two giggling schoolboys oblivious to our disruptive influence in a smart restaurant or once, memorably, on the Reading to Paddington early train packed with grinning commuters, not believing their luck at the once-in-a-lifetime relief from the grim dreariness of the morning commute, Steve cracking jokes at the top of his voice. There were times we laughed so much it hurt. That is how I will remember Steve Wright– he made life more bearable for everyone hearing his voice.”
We’re incredibly saddened to announce that our friend and colleague Steve Wright MBE has passed away.
We’ll miss you greatly Steve.
pic.twitter.com/m11mZc3XBy
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) February 13, 2024
Sara Cox’s tribute to Steve Wright, which was just on Radio 2 just now. pic.twitter.com/3IJek2egLF
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) February 13, 2024
I grew up with Steve Wright. He is one of my broadcasting heroes. He phoned me 2 weeks ago just to tell me I'd done a brilliant show the previous night. You can imagine what that meant to me. I tried to get him to do an All Talk but he hated talking about himself. Legend, pic.twitter.com/WZRv383JA3
— Iain Dale
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(@IainDale) February 13, 2024
Here’s how @BBCRadio2 broke the news of the death of Steve Wright during its 5pm bulletin with Mike Powell.@RadioToday pic.twitter.com/vwLBD03p8k
— Gareth Joy (@lookoutwales2) February 13, 2024
"He was one of the true originals of music radio…" @simonmayo
We're incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Wright. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/9yem8RKe29
— Greatest Hits Radio (@greatesthitsuk) February 13, 2024
Following the passing of Steve Wright. Steve appeared on the front of the Radio Times in 1983.
RIP Wrighty pic.twitter.com/wYP4CiSpkV
— Russty_Russ #Retro (@russty_russ) February 13, 2024
One of the greats. Awful news.
Steve Wright: Radio 2 presenter dies aged 69 https://t.co/eUs2MkBQDK
— Simon Mayo
Steve Wright was a thoroughly good man, a genuine radio star and a loyal chum. This is a dreadful shock.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) February 13, 2024
Vanessa Feltz pays tribute to Radio 2 presenter Steve Wright, who has died aged 69.
“He was energised, enlivened and absolutely full of love and passion and enthusiasm for his job.”#TalkTV pic.twitter.com/6ZAMfDmteX
— TalkTV (@TalkTV) February 13, 2024
Totally shocked to hear the news about the great Steve Wright. We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE. An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio.
— Ken Bruce (@RealKenBruce) February 13, 2024
Oh no…Steve Wright. One of the kindest, wisest, funniest people I'm humbled to call a friend.
— Richard Allinson
(@richardallinson) February 13, 2024
Such very sad news. Lovely Steve Wright, such a talent and inspiration to many of us. Thinking of his family and all his radio friends #RIP pic.twitter.com/dx6CMfdvOQ
— Jenni Costello (@JenniCostello) February 13, 2024
Oh no…Steve Wright. One of the kindest, wisest, funniest people I'm humbled to call a friend.
— Richard Allinson
Terribly sad news about Steve Wright
One of the greatest broadcasters of all time
He made radio sound so easy and natural
It may seem simple but it's an absolute art form and he mastered it
RIP
— Toby Tarrant (@tobytarrant) February 13, 2024
Such sad news to hear of the passing of Steve Wright , Steve In The Afternoon was the soundtrack to my teenage years growing up in Northern Ireland, Had the pleasure of his company on a few occasions, waoooow he knew and loved Radio , God Rest You Steve
— Simon Ross (@rossie7dj) February 13, 2024
When I was at school I visited Radio 1 and watched Steve Wright doing his show. To this day I have never seen any other DJ perform like him in a studio. An absolute master of radio craft and always so supportive. What an incredible broadcaster. What devastatingly sad news.
— Chris Hawkins (@chris_hawkins) February 13, 2024
Rest In Peace Steve Wright
Great memories of Summer 2005 on the Gazza media tour promoting Paul’s new book across the UK.
Steve Wright @BBCRadio2 was the only one Gazza wanted a pic with that week!
Thinking of his best pal Gav McCoy#senseofoccasion
pic.twitter.com/i6bgvI1HyD
— Paul Goffy Gough (@GoffyMedia) February 13, 2024
Not prepared for the wobble I just had on hearing news about Steve Wright. rip. Followed him as local listener on Radio 210 to Radio 1. Bought his "I'm Alright" single as a kid. Later on to avid workplace listener in afternoon before I too worked @ BBC. The best of radio pros. pic.twitter.com/yE5UnQSO8L
— Paul Simpson (@dutchPaul) February 13, 2024
A radio legend, set the path to inspire so many people in our industry. His radio was loved by countless people. A master of his craft. This is such sad news. What an incredible legacy this man has created.
Thinking of all his friends and family.
RIP Steve Wright https://t.co/NsmQtkNBRc— Chris Stark (@Chris_Stark) February 13, 2024
In a World of Mediocrity …. Steve Wright had talent . He had the voice and the vision and my Sunday mornings will be a lot poorer without him . RIP Steve
— Eamonn Holmes OBE (@EamonnHolmes) February 13, 2024
RIP Steve Wright, 69.
One of Britain’s greatest ever radio broadcasters.
A brilliantly creative, funny, warm, intelligent, hard-working & energetic man. Absolutely loved him, on and off air. So sad to hear this news. Thanks for all the wonderful entertainment, Steve.pic.twitter.com/N96cps1mY5
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 13, 2024
there’s something painfully beautiful about Steve Wright’s last show being a valentines special, he brought so much happiness to people’s lives with his love songs
pic.twitter.com/h06Eyb3R3M
— Dean McCullough (@thedeanlife) February 13, 2024
Steve Wright was a lovely man and a terrific broadcaster. Never talked to him without feeling better about the world afterwards. Really sad to hear he has died. Radio 2 has lost one of its brightest lights RIP
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) February 13, 2024
So sad to learn that Steve Wright has passed away a brilliant broadcaster and unique talent . He kindly gave me some freelance work when I was starting out and years later I loved being a guest on his shows and loved our chats . A top bloke thoughts with family and friends RIP x pic.twitter.com/QWH58uFmcF
— Dave Pearce (@dj_davepearce) February 13, 2024
I am in utter disbelief! #SteveWright has been part our lives since forever. I feel like I’ve lost an old friend, even though our paths didn’t cross very often. Listening to @BBCRadio2 I am actually weeping. RIP Steve, you have left a hole in all our hearts
— Cheryl Baker
OMG just heard Steve Wright has died. Like so many I’m devastated. A master of his craft. An inspiration to so many radio people & loved by millions. I first listened to him on Radio 210 back in the mid 70s. RIP Steve you’ll be sorely missed.
— Carlos (@carlosradioguy) February 13, 2024
We’re so saddened to hear of broadcasting legend Steve Wright’s death.
Official Charts would like to extend its sympathies to Steve’s family, and to the generations of listeners who grew up with his passion for music. RIP. pic.twitter.com/WzvGXQVGhE
— Official Charts (@officialcharts) February 13, 2024