Radio 2 reveals Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs will return – with new host

STEVE Wright’s BBC Radio 2 Sunday Love Songs show has been confirmed to return with a new host following his death. 

The beloved DJ died at the age of 69, with family confirming the news on Monday, February 18. 

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Liza Tarbuck stepped in to take over his show the following Sunday, commemorating her friend in an emotional tribute as she went live on the airways. 

It’s now been confirmed Early Breakfast show host Nicki Chapman will take over the 9-11am show from this Sunday through to at least Easter. 

From there, a new permanent host will take up the hard-to-fill shoes of Wright, who had been on the show since 1996.

Davina McCall, Michael Ball and Graham Norton are reportedly being considered to step into the late DJ's shoes.

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Chapman will maintain the same format of Sunday Love Songs, with listeners calling in their requests for romantic tunes for loved ones. 

“It will be a privilege to present Sunday Love Songs in the coming weeks, so please do tune in and keep me company as I share the listeners’ favourite songs alongside their heart-warming stories and memories of loved ones,” Chapman said in a statement. 

She was heard getting emotional in the days following Steve’s death, with songs in his honour leaving her choked up. 

"It is so difficult to sum up what Steve meant to all of us,” she told listeners. “The devastatingly sad news has come as a complete shock. 

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“Everyone seems to have such fond memories of our Wrighty because that's how we viewed and that's how we listened to him. He was ours. 

“He was our mate, talking to us in our kitchens as we made a brew, in our bedrooms, in the shower, in our cars, taxis, lorries, in our form rooms at school, in our gardens, at work - he was always in our hearts."

Wright’s final Sunday Love Songs aired just before Valentine’s Day. 

The legend signed off, saying: "I'll be back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ta then."

It’s now reported the pre-taped episode will never be aired. 

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