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Steve Wright’s brother speaks out on BBC star’s cause of death and says radio icon fought a hidden health battle
The star 'hid his health problems from his family'
STEVE Wright's brother has spoken out on the radio star's cause of death and claimed he was fighting a hidden health battle.
The veteran radio presenter passed away at the age of 69 and was found dead at his London flat on Monday.
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Police and paramedics scrambled to a flat in the Marylebone area of central London on Monday morning.
But cops said that Steve's death was "not being treated as suspicious" after he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His heartbroken brother Laurence Wright, 65, has now blamed the BBC star's death on his poor diet, reports .
Laurence says Steve's tendency for eating out at restaurants combined with his reluctance to talk about various "health issues", were the main factors behind his shock death.
Laurence, a director of a company in the health industry, 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. "
His devastated sibling added that Steve was a "stoic" man who didn't complain and kept his family in the dark about his health.
Laurence added: "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.
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"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."
Celebrity publicist Gary Farrow told The Sun that his friend of 40 years was "devastated" to lose his massively popular Radio 2 slot two years ago.
However, Garry added that his pal had no real medical problems to speak of.
But he did admit that Steve's diet could have been better.
He exclusively told The Sun: "From what I know, he didn’t have any real medical problems - he was always taking vitamins and popping pills.
"Sure, he didn't really eat broccoli and he liked McDonald's, but he was such a character, the likes of which I don’t think we will see again."
Gary blasted BBC bosses who deemed Steve "too old", saying there was no one more "current".
He told how his "painfully shy" friend "needed an arm round the shoulder" from his bosses — but it never came.
From bullied schoolboy to BBC legend
By Jane Matthews
STEVE Wright went from being a bullied schoolboy cruelly dubbed 'Big Nose' to a BBC radio legend.
Wright was born in Greenwich, London and attended Eastwood High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
It was there that he was cruelly nicknamed Big Nose and Concorde.
His 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 to become 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.
But in 2022 he announced he was stepping back from his Afternoon show after more than two decades.
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."
The axing saw him take another step towards his Sunday Love Songs show - which he last appeared on just days ago.
Gary continued: "He would spend hours and hours researching before a show, checking out guests and doing his homework. Radio was his life.
"He was Mr Showbiz. He was the first to discuss and champion new books, films, records and TV shows, and so progressive in that respect.
"So quite how the BBC could decide he was 'too old' or not current enough is a joke.
"There was no one more current or on the pulse than Steve. There was no one more relevant."
It was also claimed that he "died of a broken heart" after being dumped by the BBC.
The veteran disc jockey presented the Afternoon Show for 12 years on Radio 1 and a further 23 years on Radio 2.
His last show was on Sunday, as he pre-recorded a Valentine's Day special of his Love Songs programme.
There, Wright shared his favourite romantic tunes.
During the show the legend signed off saying: "I'll be back for more love songs next Sunday.
"Ta-ta then."
His Sunday Love Songs show "brought joy to millions of listeners", Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said this afternoon.
Friend Anthony James shared what is believed to be the last picture of Wright - a selfie the pair took together.
James said: "I'm thinking of my dear friend Steve. We took this picture 4 weeks ago in New York.
"We were trying to do, as he put it, 'ironic selfies'. He had such a love of life and radio. I miss him."
TITAN OF THE AIRWAVES
By Amir Razavi
PIONEERING Steve was remembered across Radios 1 and 2 yesterday.
Scott Mills, who took over his Radio 2 afternoon slot, said: "I wouldn't want to start the show today and not talk about Steve.
"What a legend, a broadcasting titan. The man who made it sound so effortless but worked the hardest out of everyone — to be in this slot, will forever be an honour."
Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James opened his show with Steve's afternoon theme tune, calling it "iconic".
He later said online: "I felt so lucky to be able to nerd out about radio with him.
"He essentially started the 'zoo format' in UK that you now hear everywhere. A true pioneer."
Radio 2's Vernon Kay said: "Steve would have wanted us to celebrate his life so I am going to do the show with a smile on my face and think of the big man, the don.
"He was a perfectionist and that's what we will try and do today."
Steve was well known for presenting Steve Wright in the Afternoon and fronted Top of the Pops.
In a statement on Tuesday, 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."
Chris Evans, who was also a stalwart on Radio 1 and 2 for many years before joining Virgin Radio, said Wright was to afternoons as Sir Terry Wogan was to breakfast.
Wake Up To Wogan on Radio 2 ran from 1993 to 2009 and was the most listened-to radio show in the UK.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Evans wrote on Instagram: "Oh my goodness. What terribly sad news.
"It goes without saying that Steve was the soundtrack to millions of our afternoons for decades."
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