A statement shared with BBC News read: “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.”
Born in Greenwich, Wright started his career as a local journalist and got his first job at the BBC as a returns clerk in the Gramophone Library.
He left in the 1970s to start his broadcasting career with pirate station Radio Atlantis and then Radio 210 in Reading, before scoring his big break on Radio Luxembourg.
In the Grand Duchy, Wright presented a nightly show, which in fact caught the attention of the BBC again (which was Radio Luxembourg’s biggest competitor at the time).
The Luxembourg stint was only six months long; Wright was very happy to have received the call from the BBC, he said.
Back in England in 1980, he was hired to present the famous Saturday night show on Radio 1.
He was known for his regular features and formats, a great team of co-presenters and sharp-witted humour.
Wright won several awards during his career.
