Tributes have flooded in for Steve Wright, the veteran BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 presenter who died on Monday at the age of 69. Colleagues described him as a broadcasting 'legend' and a 'radio genius'. Nicki Chapman, filling in for Zoe Ball on Radio 2's breakfast show, was moved to tears on air, saying she had promised herself she wouldn't cry but did after reading listener messages.
Jo Whiley, who hosted a tribute show on Radio 2, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Wright was 'a master of his craft' who devoted his life to making people happy. She said the tribute felt 'very strange' as she had seen him 'only days ago'. Nicky Campbell, a former Radio 1 presenter, said Wright 'was born to be in a studio' and that his heart soared when on air, which was contagious.
Current Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James opened his show with a tribute, calling Wright the 'king of jingles'. Mike Read, who co-hosted a show with Wright on local radio, described him as a 'ringmaster' who worked tirelessly and was always thinking of ideas. Tony Miles, known as Smiley Miley from the Radio 1 roadshow, called Wright a 'radio genius' who could communicate and bring characters to life.
Chris Evans shared a tribute on Instagram, writing that Wright was the 'soundtrack to millions of our afternoons' and comparing his afternoon shows to Sir Terry Wogan's breakfast shows. Gary Davies and Tony Blackburn paid tribute on BBC Newsnight, calling Wright a 'very generous broadcaster' who made guests shine. Blackburn recalled Wright as a 'pioneer of zoo radio' and shared fond memories, including how they would sing jingles instead of saying hello.
Ken Bruce, a long-time colleague, said he was 'totally shocked' and revealed they had been planning to celebrate Wright's MBE with a lunch. Liza Tarbuck will present a special Sunday Love Songs programme this weekend as a tribute to the late DJ.
