Steve Wright dead updates — BBC and radio legend ‘found at home by paramedics’ as cause of death not known
TRIBUTES have flooded in following the death of BBC legend Steve Wright.
Steve Wright’s family said: "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."
The London Ambulance Service said: “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.”
No cause of death has been given following the beloved broadcaster's passing.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Steve’s heartbroken brother speaks out
Steve Wright’s heartbroken brother Laurence Wright, 65, has now blamed the BBC star’s death on his poor diet, reports MailOnline.
He said: “He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously we all wish he had.
“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.
“He was the kind of guy who would just carry on, take care of it, not talk about it, not make a big thing, that kind of stoic sort of attitude.
“That’s just how he was – that probably didn’t help really, because he wouldn’t have help or take advice necessarily.”
When Steve Wright stepped back the Afternoon Show
In 2022 the late Steve Wright announced he was stepping back from his Afternoon Show after more than two decades when the BBC axed his slot.
He said at the time: "Before we start the show proper, if I may, I'd just like to say thank you ever so much for all the messages that have come in, over the weekend after I announced on Friday on the afternoon that we are leaving the afternoon show."
Wright would go on to produce his Sunday Love Songs show - which he last appeared on just days ago.
Steve’s career at the BBC
Steve was born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954 and began his career at the BBC as a clerk.
In 1976, he briefly left the broadcaster for Thames Valley Radio but returned four years later to present weekend programmes.
The move paid off and his defining show Steve Wright in the Afternoon was launched in 1981.
Although a scheduling shake-up meant Scott Mills took over his afternoon slot, Steve stayed on to present Sunday Love Songs.
Steve Wright latest news
- Zoe Ball and Vernon Kay lead tributes to Steve Wright
- The DJ passed away aged 69 after plotting a new show
- Steve hosted a final Sunday Love Songs show for Valentine's Day
- The presenter went from being a bullied schoolboy to a radio legend
- The star's final heartbreaking video was revealed
- The DJ's hidden heartbreak after divorce from wife Cyndi Robinson
What shows did Steve host?
The veteran DJ presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon for 12 years on Radio 1 and a further 23 years on Radio 2.
Steve also presented the popular Sunday Love Songs mid-morning show on Radio 2.
Dermot O'Leary pays tribute to Wright
Dermot O'Leary, who has been at Radio 2 for almost 20 years, paid tribute to his colleague Steve Wright.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, O'Leary called Wright "kind".
He added: “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.”
How Steve Wright’s career began
Steve Wright’s first job after leaving school was in marine insurance but after three years he realised it wasn’t for him.
It was then that Wright left and became a local newspaper reporter.
This led him to BBC, as a record librarian, which then went on to his own shows – and the rest was history.
BBC star knew Steve Wright had been 'struggling with his health'
One BBC star has reportedly said the broadcaster knew Steve Wright had been "struggling with his health."
"Steve had been talking to Radio 2 bosses just two or three days ago," one BBC star told the .
"We were aware he was struggling with his health a bit but nothing that seemed this serious.
"It has come as a huge shock. Nobody can believe it. He was engaging with his colleagues so recently. It doesn't seem at all real."
Vernon Kay pays tribute
Vernon Kay, who also presents on Radio 2, shared a lengthy post about the loss of Steve Wright.
“Words, alone, do not feel enough, to attempt to describe the respect I had, for this man; this titan of radio and someone I was so proud to call a friend,” he wrote.
“Thank you Steve, for the decades of joy you brought to the airwaves, entertaining us all with your wit, warmth and that most wonderful of voices.”
He continued: “On a personal level I’ll never forget your kindness for mentoring me in my early years of radio broadcasting, for the hours we spent chatting and laughing on the phone. You always so generously imparted your wisdom and advice.
“The word “ legend “ was truly made for you Steve. You will be so missed by everyone. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Richard Hammond shares heartbreak as ‘hero’ passes away
Top Gear star Richard Hammond has said he lost his “hero” following the death of Steve Wright.
Taking to X, Hammond said: “I’ve lost my hero. Steve Wright has left us.
“Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He was the reason I started my career.
“Steve, you changed radio and thus broadcasting for us and shall be very, very sadly missed. Go Well.”
Steve Wright's top tips for being a radio presenter
Steve Wright fans have reflected on his legacy after news of his passing this week.
One fan paid tribute to Wright on X/Twitter by sharing the radio legend's top tips for being a radio presenter.
Among the tips were "always know what you're going to do next" and "know the equipment inside out and never mention it".
Celebrities react to Steve Wright's death
Steve Wright was remembered as a "brilliant broadcaster" and a "lovely man" as tributes flowed for the radio legend following his death this week.
Several celebrities paid tribute to Wright on social media, including Stephen Merchant, Hugh Laurie and Gary Lineker.
Steve Wright's final Radio 2 show
Steve Wright hummed along to his favourite love songs and read out messages from listeners on his final episode of his Radio 2 show.
On a Valentine's Day edition of his Sunday Love Songs show, a typically jolly Wright played a selection of romantic hits from the 60s to present day.
He signed off by saying: “That’s it today for Love Songs ... I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ra then.”
Adrian Chiles pays tribute to "friendly and funny" Steve Wright
TV and radio presenter Adrian Chiles says Steve Wright saved him as he struggled with a broken leg after he finished college.
In a column for The Guardian, Chiles wrote that he would listen to Wright's radio show as he sat at home in his plaster cast while "stuck between college and whatever I was going to do with the rest of my life".
"I listened to a lot of radio. But the only specific programme I recall was Steve Wright in the Afternoon, on every weekday," Chiles wrote. "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. Two simple adjectives that may seem like damning his talent with faint praise. But the simplest things are often the hardest to pull off."
As he himself would make his way in the same business as Wright, Chiles soon would meet his favourite radio host.
"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. A delight ... I hope he was happy. Because he spread a great deal of happiness in his time."
Did Steve Wright have any children with Cyndi Robinson?
Cyndi and Steve had two children together.
Their names are Lucy Wright and Tom Wright.
In 2007, when Tom was 23, it was reported that he was dating Jude Law's ex-wife Sadie Frost.
A friend told the Daily Mail: "Sadie and Tom have known each other for a while through Sadie's ex Kristian Marr.
"Tom has been staying on and off at Sadie's Primrose Hill home because he moved out of the flat his dad bought him after they fell out."
In July 2019, the Mirror reported that Tom presented a music night in Camden, London, and that he was friends with the late great Amy Winehouse.
The same article explained that both of Steve's children lived at home with him — at the time Lucy was 25 and was Tom 32.
Who is Steve Wright's ex wife Cyndi Robinson?
Little is known about Steve Wright's ex wife Cyndi Robinson.
In 1972, the couple tied the knot and were married for over two decades.
Steve recounted the moment he knew Cyndi was the one to : "We were watching the Mike Leigh play Abigail’s Party on television when I looked at her and just thought: ‘I love this woman’.”
However, Steve Wright and Cyndi Robinson divorced in 1999.
A friend of the radio presenter told The Mirror: "It came out of the blue.
"Cyndi just said, 'That's it. I'm off."
Steve stepped down from his show in 2022
Steve announced in 2022 he was stepping back from his Afternoon show after more than two decades.
“Before we start the show proper, if I may, I’d just like to say thank you ever so much for all the messages that have come in, over the weekend after I announced on Friday on the afternoon that we are leaving the afternoon show,” he said at the time.
He then took another step towards his Sunday Love Songs show – which he last appeared on just days ago.
Steve was bullied early in life
The star had been on air for BBC for decades, but he didn’t have an easy start.
Wright was born in Greenwich, London and he attended Eastwood High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
He was cruelly nicknamed Big Nose and Concorde during his time there.
What was Steve Wright’s cause of death?
Steve Wright’s cause of death has not been confirmed.
Announcing his passing, Steve Wright’s family said: “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.”
Steve Wright latest news
- Zoe Ball and Vernon Kay lead tributes to Steve Wright
- The DJ passed away aged 69 after plotting a new show
- Steve hosted a final Sunday Love Songs show for Valentine’s Day
- The presenter went from being a bullied schoolboy to a radio legend
- The star’s final heartbreaking video was revealed
- The DJ’s hidden heartbreak after divorce from wife Cyndi Robinson
When Steve Wright stepped back the Afternoon Show
In 2022 the late Steve Wright announced he was stepping back from his Afternoon Show after more than two decades when the BBC axed his slot.
He said at the time: “Before we start the show proper, if I may, I’d just like to say thank you ever so much for all the messages that have come in, over the weekend after I announced on Friday on the afternoon that we are leaving the afternoon show.”
Wright would go on to produce his Sunday Love Songs show – which he last appeared on just days ago.
Did Steve Wright have any children with Cyndi Robinson?
Cyndi and Steve had two children together.
Their names are Lucy Wright and Tom Wright.
In 2007, when Tom was 23, it was reported that he was dating Jude Law‘s ex-wife Sadie Frost.
A friend told the Daily Mail: “Sadie and Tom have known each other for a while through Sadie’s ex Kristian Marr.
“Tom has been staying on and off at Sadie’s Primrose Hill home because he moved out of the flat his dad bought him after they fell out.”
In July 2019, the Mirror reported that Tom presented a music night in Camden, London, and that he was friends with the late great Amy Winehouse.
The same article explained that both of Steve’s children lived at home with him — at the time Lucy was 25 and was Tom 32.
Steve's heartbroken brother speaks out
Steve Wright's heartbroken brother Laurence Wright, 65, has now blamed the BBC star's death on his poor diet, reports MailOnline.
He said: ";He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously we all wish he had.
"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.
"He was the kind of guy who would just carry on, take care of it, not talk about it, not make a big thing, that kind of stoic sort of attitude.
"That's just how he was - that probably didn't help really, because he wouldn't have help or take advice necessarily."
Steve was bullied early in life
The star had been on air for BBC for decades, but he didn’t have an easy start.
Wright was born in Greenwich, London and he attended Eastwood High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
He was cruelly nicknamed Big Nose and Concorde during his time there.
Richard Hammond shares heartbreak as ‘hero’ passes away
Top Gear star Richard Hammond has said he lost his “hero” following the death of Steve Wright.
Taking to X, Hammond said: “I’ve lost my hero. Steve Wright has left us.
“Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He was the reason I started my career.
“Steve, you changed radio and thus broadcasting for us and shall be very, very sadly missed. Go Well.”