Steve Wright was a highly acclaimed radio personality. He achieved widespread popularity and has been honored with the Best DJ of the Year Award and the TRIC Personality of the Year award.
From 1981 to 1993, he hosted the show Steve Wright in the Afternoon before moving on to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show. In 1996, Steve Wright joined BBC Radio 2, and in 2005, he published his book, titled Steve Wright’s Book of Factoids.
Steve Wright’s Early Life & Career
Wright was born in 1954 in the southern London borough of Greenwich. He initially joined the BBC as a clerk, but later left in 1976 to join Radio 210 in Reading, marking the start of his career in broadcasting.
In 1981, he started hosting Steve Wright in the Afternoon on BBC Radio 1 after spending four years with the station presenting weekend programs.
This show became the defining point of his career. He briefly hosted the Radio 1 breakfast show for a year in 1994 before leaving to join Talk Radio. However, he returned to the BBC in 1996.
In 1996, he started hosting a Saturday show and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2. He then revamped his afternoon show in 1999, which he continued to host until 2022.
The show had a unique zoo-style format, which included appearances from Wright’s on-air “posse”, as well as interviews with celebrities and entertaining trivia shared during his Factoids segment.
In 2022, there were multiple changes to the station’s schedule, one of which involved Scott Mills taking over the afternoon program. Despite this, Wright remained at Radio 2 and continued hosting Sunday Love Songs, along with several specials and podcasts.
In the December 2023 New Year Honours list, Wright received recognition for his contributions to radio. He expressed his desire to dedicate this honor to the individuals in broadcasting who provided support and public service during the pandemic. In commemoration of Wright’s life, Radio 2 announced plans to feature various programs on the station.
Cause of Death
On Feb 12, 2024, the family of DJ Steve Wright announced his passing at the age of 69 with great sadness and regret. Wright had been a presenter for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for over 40 years. The statement read as follows:
“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.”
The family further requested privacy from the public.
“As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time.”
Steve Wright’s Love Songs program aired for the last time in a pre-recorded special for Valentine’s Day. Tragically, he passed away the following day on Monday.
Net Worth
Steve Wright is a radio host known for inventing the zoo format, which features eccentric personalities. With a net worth of approximately $6 million, he hosts both Steve Wright in the Afternoon and Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2.
