Steve Wright (DJ)
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Stephen Richard Wright (26 August 1954 – 12 February 2024) was an English disc jockey, radio personality, and occasional
television presenter A television presenter (or television host, some become a "television personality") is a person who introduces or hosts television show, television programs, often serving as a mediator for the program and the audience. It is common for people ...
, credited with introducing the
morning zoo Morning zoo is a format of morning radio show common to English-language radio broadcasting. The name is derived from the wackiness and zaniness of the activities, segments, and overall personality of the show and its hosts. The morning zoo conce ...
format to British radio with a humorous collection of personalities. He presented '' Steve Wright in the Afternoon'' for 12 years on
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
and 23 years on
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the List of most-listened-to radio programs, most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 14 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the sta ...
, two of the BBC's national radio stations. He continued to present his ''Sunday Love Songs'' on Radio 2 until his death and, in October 2023, he took over as the host of the long-running '' Pick of the Pops'' chart show. On BBC Television, Wright hosted ''Home Truths'', ''The Steve Wright People Show'', ''Auntie's TV Favourites'', ''
Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British record chart television programme, made by the BBC and broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show. For most of its histo ...
'' and '' TOTP2''. Wright won ''Best DJ of the Year'', as voted by the ''
Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' Readers Poll and by ''
Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand ...
'' in 1994. In 1998, he was awarded TRIC Personality of the Year for his radio programmes. He was appointed
Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(MBE) in the
2024 New Year Honours The 2024 New Year Honours are appointments by some of the 15 Commonwealth realms to Orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms, various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Hono ...
for services to radio. He was described by
Paul Gambaccini Paul Matthew Gambaccini (born 2 April 1949) is an American-British radio and television presenter and author. He is a dual citizen of the United States and United Kingdom, having become a British citizen in 2005. Known as "The Great Gambo" and ...
as being "among the all-time greats of radio". (Online article, published a day earlier, has a different title).


Early life and career

Stephen Richard Wright was born on 26 August 1954 in
Greenwich Greenwich ( , , ) is an List of areas of London, area in south-east London, England, within the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Greater London, east-south-east of Charing Cross. Greenwich is notable for its maritime hi ...
, to Richard and June and grew up in
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, in South London. He had a brother, Laurence. Their father, Richard, managed the Burton's store in
Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square ( ) is a public square in the City of Westminster in Central London. It was established in the early-19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy, ...
. After the family moved to
Essex Essex ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East of England, and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Kent across the Thames Estuary to the ...
, Wright attended the Eastwood High School for Boys near
Southend-on-Sea Southend-on-Sea (), commonly referred to as Southend (), is a coastal city and unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area with Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in south-eastern Essex, England. It lies on the nor ...
, (Online article, published a day earlier, has a different title). where he broadcast a nascent radio show over the speaker system from the stock cupboard. (Online article, published a day earlier, has a different title). Having finished school with only three Olevels, he worked in maritime insurance and as a local newspaper reporter. He joined the BBC staff in the early 1970s working as a returns clerk in the Gramophone Library in Egton House, opposite Broadcasting House in London, before leaving to start broadcasting in 1976 at Thames Valley Radio Radio 210 in
Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of symbols, often specifically those of a written language, by means of Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifacete ...
,
Berkshire Berkshire ( ; abbreviated ), officially the Royal County of Berkshire, is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Oxfordshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the north-east, Greater London ...
where in the latter part of his tenure he would present the weekday breakfast show. He also presented a weekend 'double-header' with
Mike Read Michael David Kenneth Read (born 1 March 1947) is an English radio disc jockey, writer, journalist and television presenter. Read has been a broadcaster since 1976, best known for having been a DJ with BBC Radio 1, and television host for mus ...
called the Read & Wright Show. In 1979, Wright got his big break at
Radio Luxembourg Radio Luxembourg was a multilingual commercial broadcaster in Luxembourg. It is known in most non-English languages as RTL (for Radio Television Luxembourg). The English-language service of Radio Luxembourg began in 1933 as one of the earlies ...
, where he presented his own nightly show. He was known for the characters he created and referred to himself as DJ Silly Boy.


BBC Radio 1

Wright joined
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
on 5 January 1980, taking over a Saturday evening slot before moving to Saturday mornings later that year.


''Steve Wright in the Afternoon''

Wright moved to daytime radio with '' Steve Wright in the Afternoon'' in 1981, later introducing the zoo format to the UK. The first run of ''Steve Wright in the Afternoon'' was from 1981 to 1993 on BBC Radio 1. The show had a cast of telephone characters created and performed by Gavin McCoy, Peter Dickson, Richard Easter and Phil Cornwell. Like his mentor,
Kenny Everett Kenny Everett (born Maurice James Christopher Cole; 25 December 1944 – 4 April 1995) was an English radio Disc Jockey, DJ and television entertainer, known for his zany comedic style. After spells on pirate radio and Radio Luxembourg in the m ...
, Wright went out of his way to be irreverent, including stories taken from the '' Weekly World News''. The success led to a hit single, ''I'll Be Back'', released under the name Arnee and the Terminaters. In later years, the style changed, dumping most of the characters and instead having a " zoo" format with spoof guests and comedy sketches. A "posse" of producers and radio staff joined in. Another regular character was "Mr Angry from Purley". In 1984 Wright took over a Sunday morning show entitled ''Steve Wright on Sunday'', which meant he presented weekday afternoons Mondays to Thursdays, with Mark Page and Paul Jordan presenting Friday afternoon's show. In 1986 his Sunday morning show ended, and he returned to five afternoons a week.
The Smiths The Smiths were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (musician), Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwrit ...
' 1986 hit single "
Panic Panic is a sudden sensation of fear, which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and frantic agitation consistent with a fight-or-flight reaction. ...
" was inspired by Wright playing " I'm Your Man" by
Wham! Wham! were an English pop duo formed in Bushey in 1981 consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. They were one of the most successful pop acts during the 1980s, selling more than 30 million certified records worldwide from 1982 to ...
following a news bulletin about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Johnny Marr John Martin Marr (Birth name#Maiden and married names, né Maher; born 31 October 1963) is a musician, songwriter and singer. He first achieved fame as the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. He has sinc ...
and
Morrissey Steven Patrick Morrissey ( ; born 22 May 1959), known :wikt:mononym, mononymously as Morrissey, is an English singer and songwriter. He came to prominence as the frontman and lyricist of rock band the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 198 ...
were listening and were disturbed by the contrast in tone. The song's lyrics about the event finished; "Hang the DJ" and this slogan appeared on a promotional T-shirt above a picture of Wright. The DJ took it well and bought one of the T-shirts.


''Radio 1 Breakfast''

Wright and his Posse moved to ''
The Radio 1 Breakfast Show ''Radio 1 Breakfast'', also known as ''The Radio 1 Breakfast Show'', is a radio show that is broadcast across the UK on BBC Radio 1. It is hosted by Greg James since 20 August 2018 as the show's 16th presenter. The show ran six days a week u ...
'' in 1994. He resigned from the Breakfast Show in 1995 due to differences with the
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
management and a fall in ratings. This coincided with many of the more established DJs leaving, or being sacked, around this time.


Commercial radio

Wright was picked up by the new station
Talk Radio Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues and consisting entirely or almost entirely of original spoken word content rather than outside music. They may feature monologues, dialogues between the hosts, Interview (jo ...
in 1995, where he presented a Saturday morning show. He also presented a Sunday morning show, which was heard on a number of GWR radio stations around the UK.


BBC World Service

Wright joined the BBC World Service on 5 January 1999, presenting a 1-hour programme, ''Wright Around The World''. This show ran every Saturday afternoon until the final show on 25 October 2003. This meant that he was now broadcasting on BBC Radio for seven days a week.


BBC Radio 2

Wright joined BBC Radio 2 in March 1996, where he began presenting ''Steve Wright's Saturday Show'' (1996–1999), ''Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs'' (1996–2024, his death), and his afternoon show beginning in July 1999 until September 2022. In 2006, Wright was said to earn £440,000 a year at Radio 2. In 2018–2019, Wright's salary was between £465,000 and £469,000, making him the BBC's fifth-highest-earning presenter. He had taken an £85,000 pay cut from the year before, however, as part of an effort to equalise male and female pay.


''Steve Wright in the Afternoon''

In mid-1999 following a shake-up at Radio 2, '' Steve Wright in the Afternoon'' was revived, with Wright taking over this slot from
Ed Stewart Edward Stewart Mainwaring (23 April 1941 – 9 January 2016), known as Ed "Stewpot" Stewart, was an English radio broadcaster and TV presenter. He was principally known for his work as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 (particularly the Saturday morning ' ...
. Jonathan Ross took over Wright's Saturday morning slot. Wright presented his Radio 2 version of ''Steve Wright in the Afternoon'' on weekday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm, alongside Tim Smith and Janey Lee Grace, who have both also occasionally appeared as relief presenters on the station, as well as traffic reporter Bobbie Pryor. Another frequent contributor, "The Old Woman", was played by Joyce Frost who died in November 2016. Smith and Wright would regularly present "factoids", described as "gleaming nuggets of information so incredible that they really shouldn't be true, but are!" On 1 July 2022, Wright announced that the show would end in September, to be replaced by a new show with Scott Mills. Wright would remain on Radio 2 to continue hosting ''Sunday Love Songs'', along with a new ''Serious Jockin'' podcast, seasonal specials and other projects. The final show was broadcast on 30 September 2022, with Wright playing "
Radio Ga Ga "Radio Ga Ga" is a 1984 song performed and recorded by the British rock band Queen, written by their drummer Roger Taylor. It was released as a single with " I Go Crazy" by Brian May as the B-side. It was included as the opening track on the ...
" by
Queen Queen most commonly refers to: * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a kingdom * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen (band), a British rock band Queen or QUEEN may also refer to: Monarchy * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Q ...
as his last record.


''Sunday Love Songs''

''Sunday Love Songs'', which Wright presented solo on Sunday mornings on Radio 2 from 31 March 1996 until 11 February 2024, the day before his death, featured a blend of classic
love song A love song is a song about love, falling in love, heartbreak after a breakup, and the feelings that these experiences bring. Love songs can be found in a variety of different music genres. They can come in various formats, from sad and emotion ...
s, dedications and real-life romance stories. In 2013, the
BBC Trust The BBC Trust was the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) between 2007 and 2017. It was operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and its stated aim was to make decisions in the best interests of ...
's editorial standards committee criticised the show for breaches of guidelines on accuracy and audience interaction, after media reporting revealed that the show was in fact recorded on Fridays. Wright's final broadcast, on the day before his death, but recorded two days earlier, was a special
Valentine's Day Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a Christian martyrs, martyr named Saint Valentine, Valentine, and ...
edition of this show. The following week, a special programme aired, hosted by
Liza Tarbuck Liza Tarbuck ( ; born 21 November 1964) is an English actress, comedian, and television and radio presenter. Early life Liza Tarbuck was born in Liverpool and grew up near Kingston upon Thames. She is the daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck an ...
, reading out messages from people who had a dedication from Wright over the last 28 years of Sunday Love Songs, and playing a selection of Wright's favourite tracks. The show continued with temporary host Nicki Chapman from 25 February, and it was announced that Michael Ball would be taking over the programme on 2 June 2024.


''Steve Wright's Summer Nights''

Between 21st and 24th of August 2023, Wright took over the evening show for a week to host ''Steve Wright's Summer Nights'' between 7 and 9pm.


''Pick of the Pops''

On 10 August 2023, it was announced that Wright would become the new host of '' Pick of the Pops'', from 14 October 2023, replacing
Paul Gambaccini Paul Matthew Gambaccini (born 2 April 1949) is an American-British radio and television presenter and author. He is a dual citizen of the United States and United Kingdom, having become a British citizen in 2005. Known as "The Great Gambo" and ...
. He presented the show until 10 February 2024. On 15 April, it was announced that Mark Goodier would take over the show in July.
Gary Davies Gary Davies (born 13 December 1957) is a British broadcaster. From 1982 to 1993 he was a BBC Radio 1 disc jockey and a regular presenter of ''Top of the Pops''. As of 2025, Davies can be heard on BBC Radio 2 presenting Saturday night show ' ...
took over this programme during the interim period.


Career outside radio

From 1980 to 1989, Wright was a regular presenter on ''
Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British record chart television programme, made by the BBC and broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show. For most of its histo ...
''. Wright also presented a BBC TV series, ''The Steve Wright People Show'', from 1994 to 1995. His next stint in television was as the narrator and writer of the retro pop show ''
Top of the Pops 2 ''Top of the Pops 2'' (also known as ''TOTP2'') is a British television music show broadcast on BBC Two showing archive footage from the long-running ''Top of the Pops'' show, some dating back to the 1960s when the programme first aired on Briti ...
'' between 1997 and 2009. The last episode of ''TOTP2'' he presented was the
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
special broadcast on 27 June 2009.


UK Chart Hits

Whilst a radio presenter on BBC Radio 1, Wright was involved in a number of UK chart hits with members of his Afternoon Posse (the drive time radio team) including the UK Top 10 hit "I'll Be Back" which featured Wright as one of the backing band, 'the Terminaters', on 29 August 1991 edition of BBC One's ''Top of the Pops''. * Young Steve and the Afternoon Boys – "I'm Alright" (RCA Records 1982, single) UK Singles Chart number 40 * Steve Wright and the Sisters of Soul – "Get Some Therapy" (RCA Records 1983, single) UK Singles Chart number 75 * Steve Wright – "The Gay Cavalieros (The Story So Far...)" (MCA 1984, single) UK Singles Chart number 61 in December 1984 * Mr. Angry With Steve Wright – "I'm So Angry" (MCA 1985, single) UK Singles Chart number 90 in August 1985 * Mr Food – "And That's Before Me Tea!" (Tangible Records, single) UK Singles Chart number 62 in April 1990 * Arnee and the Terminaters – "I'll Be Back" (Epic Records 1991, single) UK Singles Chart number 5


Accolades

Wright won awards, including ''Best DJ of the Year'' as voted by the ''
Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' Readers Poll and by ''
Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand ...
'' in 1994. In 1998 he was awarded TRIC Personality of the Year for his radio programmes. Wright was appointed
Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(MBE) in the
2024 New Year Honours The 2024 New Year Honours are appointments by some of the 15 Commonwealth realms to Orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms, various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Hono ...
for services to radio.


Personal life

Wright was married in 1985 to Cyndi Robinson, an American journalist he had met when working in Reading.Ian Youngs, "Steve Wright: A radio giant and a feel-good friend to millions", ''BBC'', 13 February 2024
Retrieved 14 February 2024
The couple had two children and they divorced in 1999. Wright lived in
Marylebone Marylebone (usually , also ) is an area in London, England, and is located in the City of Westminster. It is in Central London and part of the West End. Oxford Street forms its southern boundary. An ancient parish and latterly a metropo ...
, London, close to
Broadcasting House London Broadcasting House is the headquarters of the BBC, in Portland Place and Langham Place, London. The first radio broadcast from the building was made on 15 March 1932, and the building was officially opened two months later, on 15 May. T ...
. In July 2019, he told the ''
Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' that he did not have time to look for a new partner, because he worked so much on his radio programmes. He said, "I work on an afternoon show on the BBC, and I do a love songs show at the weekend, and it means that I do a lot of interviews, and I prep a lot and I write a lot. So I have to work all the time." He revealed that
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
were his favourite music act. He was rumoured to be allergic to
feather Feathers are epidermal growths that form a distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on both avian (bird) and some non-avian dinosaurs and other archosaurs. They are the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates and an exa ...
s and
penicillin Penicillins (P, PCN or PEN) are a group of beta-lactam antibiotic, β-lactam antibiotics originally obtained from ''Penicillium'' Mold (fungus), moulds, principally ''Penicillium chrysogenum, P. chrysogenum'' and ''Penicillium rubens, P. ru ...
and had spoken out about his weight issues.


Death

Wright died on 12 February 2024, aged 69, at his home in Marylebone, London. The
London Ambulance Service The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) is an NHS trust responsible for operating ambulances and answering and responding to urgent and medical emergency, emergency medical situations within the Greater London, London region of England. The ...
responded to an incident at 10:07 that morning; Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said that the death was "unexpected", but was not being treated as suspicious. His death was announced by his family the following day. Following his death, it was reported that Wright had undergone undisclosed heart bypass surgery in 2022. Wright's brother blamed his death on an unhealthy diet and said that he had been reluctant to discuss health issues. Friends of Wright have suggested that he struggled to come to terms with ex-wife Cyndi's death in 2020, at her home in
Midhurst Midhurst () is a market town and civil parish in the Chichester District in West Sussex, England. It lies on the River Rother (Western), River Rother, inland from the English Channel and north of Chichester. The name Midhurst was first reco ...
, West Sussex during the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. His death was first reported on BBC Radio 2 during 13 February's 5pm bulletin, by newsreader Mike Powell who regularly read the news on Steve Wright's afternoon show. Tributes were then led, on air, by fellow Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox. His colleague
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and television presenter, whose career spans over 60 years. Blackburn first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio Londo ...
wrote on X, and spoke on the '' PM'' programme on BBC Radio 4,
Sky News Sky News is a British free-to-air television news channel, live stream news network and news organisation. Sky News is distributed via an English-language radio news service, and through online channels. It is owned by Sky Group, a division of ...
and '' BBC Newsnight'' of his long friendship with Wright. BBC
director-general A director general, general director or director-general (plural: ''directors general'', ''general directors'', ''directors-general'', ''director generals'' or ''director-generals'') is a senior executive officer, often the chief executive officer ...
Tim Davie described Wright as "...a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades.... He was the ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners." On 16 February, the BBC announced a special schedule of programming, across TV and radio, to remember Wright. In May 2024, it was revealed that no funeral or cremation had yet taken place for Wright. On 9 July 2024, it was reported that Wright's death certificate stated that his death was due to a ruptured ulcer in his stomach. The death certificate stated that the causes of death were acute
peritonitis Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and covering of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One pa ...
and a perforated gastric peptic ulcer.


Books

* ''Steve Wright's Book of the Amazing But True: Trivia for the Connoisseur'', Pocket Books (1995) * ''Just Keep Talking: Story of the Chat Show'', Simon & Schuster (1997) * ''Steve Wright's Book of Factoids'', HarperCollins Publishers (UK), (2005) *''Steve Wright's Further Factoids'', HarperCollins Publishers (UK), (2007)


References


External links

* *
Radio Rewind: Steve Wright – profile, pics and audio clips – BBC Radio 1


* ttp://www.sidthemanager.co.uk 'Sid the Manager' site* archive.org: Steve Wright in the Afternoon Airchecks {{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Steve 1954 births 2024 deaths BBC Radio 1 presenters BBC Radio 2 presenters English radio DJs Deaths from ulcers English radio presenters MCA Records artists Members of the Order of the British Empire People from Greenwich Radio Luxembourg (English) presenters RCA Records artists