Steve Wright was reportedly set for a huge new BBC radio job.
Steve Wright was reportedly set for a huge new BBC radio job
The late broadcaster – whose shock death aged 69 was announced on Tuesday (13.02.24) – was dropped from his BBC Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022 – but it is now said he was part of plans to launch four new stations on the airwaves.
One of the four new channels will be a BBC Radio 2 spin-off station, and, according to The Sun, Steve was set to be hosting a new version of his ‘Sunday Love Songs’ show.
The BBC had said the station would bring “heritage artist catalogues and stories to life in a much deeper and more richly textured manner than the main mixed-genre Radio 2 schedule can allow”.
In the last known video of Steve – shot outside BBC Studios in London after his exit from his afternoon slot – he said: “Sometimes people want you, sometimes they don’t.”
News of his death was included in a 5pm news bulleting on Sara Cox’s BBC Radio 2 show, prompting the presenter to choke back tears before she paid tribute to the former host.
She told listeners: “It’s really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright’s passing, except that we are all absolutely devastated and shocked and blind-sided by this news.
“Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster and a really, 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 be absolutely shattered too.”
Steve joined the BBC in the 1970s, and as well as hosting shows on Radio 1 and Radio 2 he also hosted ‘Top of the Pops’ in its heyday.
A statement from his family said about his death: “It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright.
“In addition to his son, Tom, and daughter, Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother, Laurence and his father Richard.
“Also, 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.”
Mike Powell, who announced Steve’s passing while reading the 5pm news on Tuesday, said BBC Radio 2 “plans to celebrate his legacy with a range of programming across the station”.
Tagged in Sara Cox