BBC Radio DJ and broadcaster Steve Wright dies aged 69, his family announces

Steve Wright, best known for hosting BBC Radio 1 and 2, has died at the age of 69

Radio DJ Steve Wright has died at the age of 69, his family has announced.

His family said it is "with deep sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright."

He joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host shows on BBC Radio 1 and 2 for more than four decades, and was a long-standing presenter of Top Of The Pops.

Wright was last on air over the weekend, presenting a pre-recorded Valentine's Day special of Sunday Love Songs.

Wright - who was born in Greenwich in 1954 - is survived by his son, Tom, and daughter, Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother, Laurence and his father Richard.

In a statement, his family added that he leaves behind: "much-loved close friends and colleagues, and millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing Steve into their daily lives as one of the UK's most enduring and popular radio personalities.

"As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time."

The broadcaster joined Radio 1 in 1980 to host a Saturday evening show before moving on to host Steve Wright In The Afternoon a year later until 1993.

Wright then fronted the Radio 1 Breakfast show for a year until 1995, and completed a stint at commercial radio stations before returning to BBC Radio 2 in 1996 to host Steve Wright’s Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs.

In 1999, he recreated Steve Wright In The Afternoon every weekday on Radio 2, with celebrity interviews and entertaining trivia featured in his Factoids segment, before stepping down in September 2022.

Former BBC Radio 1 host Scott Mills took over the afternoon slot as part of the station’s schedule shake-up.

Wright continued to present Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 and since October last year, he presented the long-running show Pick Of The Pops, which had previously been fronted by Paul Gambaccini.

Tributes flooded in shortly after the news broke, with Tim Davie, BBC Director General, describing him as the "ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners."

He added: "No-one had more energy to deliver shows that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They loved him deeply. We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him terribly."

Radio DJ Chris Evans said in a statement that "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 everything 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.”

Richard Branson described him as a "a true gentleman presenter who was loved by all."

"It was a pleasure to have known Steve over the years. Sending love to his family and to all who have lost special friends recently."

Speaking on Radio 2, DJ Sara Cox said of her colleague: "It's really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright's passing, except we are all shocked and 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."

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