Steve Wright, a famed DJ who notably presented "Sunday Love Songs" weekend on Radio 2, has died. He was 69.
The DJ, who joined BBC in the 1970s, also worked as a broadcaster and presenter of many shows over the past decades.Tributes poured after Wright's family confirmed his death in a statement.
Steve Wright Dead at 69
Wright died on Monday, February 12, a day after hosting his most recent and what would have been his last "Sunday Love Songs" episode on Sunday, February 11.
"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," his bereaved family said. "As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time."
Wright is survived by his son, Tom; daughter, Lucy; brother, Laurence and father, Richard.
They did not provide details regarding his cause of death.
BBC Director General Tim Davie soon led the tributes to Wright following his family's announcement, expressing how much the BBC family felt heartbroken over the terribly sad news.
"Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades," Davie continued. "He was the ultimate professional - passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners. This was deservedly recognised in the New Year Honours list with his MBE for services to radio."
Wright's colleagues, friends and listeners also offered emotional messages following the loss.
His fellow broadcaster Danny Baker wrote, "Steve Wright was a thoroughly good man, a genuine radio star and a loyal chum. This is a dreadful shock."
"A giant of broadcasting who made the job look effortless. Steve Wright in the afternoon was a big part of my formative years. It was such an honour to appear on his shows and see the master at work. RIP Steve Wright," Paddy McGuinness added.
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Steve Wright's Health Issues Explored
Over the past years, Wright had been open about his different health struggles.
In 2009, he revealed in an episode of "BBC Breakfast" that he had been trying to lose weight for 10 years. A year later, he disclosed he had lost more than one-and-a-half stones.
"I've been eating healthily and I've lost about one-and-a-half stone. But I want to lose another stone-and-a-half at least. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting there. I've cut out chips, crisps and I no longer eat chocolate," he told the Daily Mail at the time.
There were rumors he was allergic to penicillin and feathers, though Wright never addressed them.
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