Latest news with #AnthonyJames
Telegraph
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘I worked with Steve Wright for 30 years. The BBC has tarnished his legacy'
Later this month, BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a tribute concert for Steve Wright – the adored DJ, who died last February. It will feature the bespoke jingles that were such a crucial part of shows such as Steve Wright in the Afternoon and Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, but the man behind those jingles, Anthony James, is not involved. Since Wright's death at the age of 69, James says he has been dismayed by the BBC's handling of his friend's legacy – and haunted by what he sees as mistreatment by the corporation in the years leading up to his death. The pair first met in 1986 when James (known professionally as AJ) was a teenager. He had already begun working in local radio, composing unique musical idents for the station's presenters. A fan of Wright's BBC shows, James sent him a 30-second piece of music, with his 'cold pitch' resulting in a phone call to his home soon afterwards. 'My mother picked it up and ran upstairs and said, 'Oh my God, it's Steve Wright on the phone.' I thought it was one of my friends doing a prank,' James reflects, but it was Wright, promising that he would play the tune on his show at 3pm that very afternoon. So began a partnership that James describes as '50-50 friendship, 50-50 like a father figure'. At the outset, Wright appeared to him 'like the Wizard of Oz: he was this great big celebrity on one of the biggest stations in Europe'. When James moved to New York in the late 1990s to continue his career as a composer (still writing around 100 jingles a year across Wright's shows), their friendship continued to develop: 'He would tell me a lot of personal stuff, which was great. But first, he would always want to know what was up with me, what was going on in my world… He was very sensitive, very conscious of how I was doing.' Wright visited James in New York often; they spoke on the phone two or three times a week. He remembers Wright's levity during their calls. 'I miss that, big time. I would always get off the phone with Steve and I'd have laughed so much, because he just found humour in everything.' In the years leading up to his death, however, Wright would suffer a series of personal and professional setbacks. The first came in 2022, when Steve Wright in the Afternoon was axed by the BBC. Wright called a tearful James once the news broke; both saw the move as 'crazy; our numbers [were] through the roof'. Wright admitted that he had been told of its cancellation and sworn to secrecy by the organisation nine months prior, but was reassured by promises made by Helen Thomas, the head of BBC Radio 2, that the show would live on via a yet-to-be-created digital channel. When that prospect began looking increasingly unlikely, Wright approached Tim Davie, the director-general. According to James, Davie told Wright: 'I can't believe she fired you… I wouldn't have fired you myself.' The BBC has, however, denied this. James believes that the axing of Steve Wright in the Afternoon was part of a push to banish broadcasters considered too ' pale, male and stale ' from the airwaves, and to create a kind of conformity at direct odds with Wright's verve. 'They just wanted it a little bit more like wallpaper,' he says of Thomas's decision to 'do something different in the afternoons'. 'They thought that this idea of personality [displayed in abundance by Wright] is old style; it's not cool anymore, we should make Radio 2 cool,' he says. 'But who gives a s--- about cool? It's about being entertained.' The effect on Wright was devastating. 'He didn't really stop to accept it. I think it ate him up,' James tells me. 'It got worse, and his health got worse.' Wright had heart surgery a year after the show was axed, and the medication he took in its aftermath led him to put on even more weight. 'He told me, 'I'm just really not well. I'm trying to lose the weight, I think I'm going to have a gastric band.'' James says that Wright also considered using Ozempic. Despite Wright's best attempts to get better, James recalls that: 'There was something about our last meeting [in November 2023]. There was just a look in his eye. I told my partner [afterwards] that something was really wrong.' Then, the following February, Wright died, leaving James overwhelmed with grief. 'I was not on this planet,' he says of that time. The groundswell of public affection went some way to easing his sadness, but that was quickly dismantled by the actions of the BBC. 'The painful truth is that the same BBC leadership celebrating Steve publicly is the one that disregarded and undermined our work privately,' says James. After Wright's death, James feels that they tried to 'delegitimise' his and Wright's relationship. 'I felt disgusted by that,' says James. 'Our relationship was so successful and it lasted for 38 years, and I feel like they're just s---ting on it.' And on Wright himself: a man who attended the studio at nine o'clock each morning to prepare for his afternoon show, and was dedicated to his listeners to the last. In response to questions about the treatment of Wright, the BBC said: 'Steve was deeply loved by the Radio 2 family and listeners, and we all miss him dearly. For almost three decades he hosted a raft of brilliant shows on the network. 'Steve's Sunday Love Songs had been on air since 1996 and he was excited to take on the legendary Pick of the Pops alongside a variety of specials on Radio 2 including Steve Wright: The Best of the Guests, Steve Wright's Summer Nights and Steve Wright's Love Songs Extra on BBC Sounds.' Thomas wrote to James in autumn last year asking for permission to play his music in the BBC tribute concert for Wright, which was recorded earlier this year (ahead of this month's transmission). He agreed, but when he rediscovered a recording of Wright railing at the poor internal handling of his show being axed, 'I just got more and more angry.' James talked through the matter with Wright's son, before telling Thomas that he no longer planned to attend. Then, in the week before the concert, she let him know that 'the great and the good will be there', which James took to mean: don't miss an opportunity to network. 'And I said, 'I'm not f---ing networking; this is not about networking. This is about a tribute to my friend.'' James thinks this last-minute push was driven by fear that his absence would 'look bad' for the BBC. 'It just started stinking towards the end of it, and I thought, 'No, I've given my music, my music will represent me, and that's it. I'm not going,' he says. When I put James's thoughts to the BBC, a spokesman replied: 'When inviting AJ to the recording of the celebration of Steve's broadcast career, where new arrangements of his work would be played live on stage, Helen's sole aim was to make sure AJ did not miss what promised to be, and indeed proved to be, a very special event, with many of Steve's friends and colleagues in attendance.' It is clear that James feels both he and Wright have been wronged by the BBC. The outpouring of affection from fans since Wright's death, compared with what he sees as shoddy treatment by the corporation now openly celebrating him, has made the past 18 months particularly challenging. Wright would have turned 71 on August 26, and his birthday will spark 'very intense' feelings for James as he remembers their friendship and their creative partnership. 'I miss all that,' he says, 'and that makes me very emotional.'
Daily Mail
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC accused of tarnishing Steve Wright's legacy, as colleague and friend savages corporation over late Radio 2 legend's treatment
A colleague and friend of Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright has accused the BBC of tarnishing his legacy and mistreating the star in the lead up to his death. Wright, 69, died from a ruptured stomach ulcer in February last year, according to his death certificate, leaving thousands of fans of the beloved radio personality heartbroken. His colleague Anthony James, who worked on the music on Steve Wright in the Afternoon and Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, has said he is unhappy with the BBC's handling of his friend's career - both before and after his death. In 2022, Wright was axed from the BBC, despite the success of his show being 'through the roof'. The star admitted to James that he had been told of its cancellation and sworn to secrecy by the corporation nine months beforehand. However, he believed he had been reassured by Helen Thomas, the head of BBC Radio 2, that the show would continue via a new digital channel. When the months went by with no word on this, Wright was said to have approached director-general Tim Davie, who allegedly told Wright: 'I can't believe she fired you… I wouldn't have fired you myself.' The BBC has denied this. James claimed the axing of Steve Wright in the Afternoon was part of a move by the BBC to ban broadcasters considered too 'pale, male and stale'. He told The Telegraph: 'They thought that this idea of personality is old style; it's not cool anymore, we should make Radio 2 cool. 'But who gives a s*** about cool? It's about being entertained.' James claimed the effect of the sacking on Wright's physical and mental health was devastating. 'He didn't really stop to accept it. I think it ate him up,' he said. 'It got worse, and his health got worse.' Later this month, BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a tribute concert for Wright in his memory. Thomas previously wrote to James last year, seeking permission to play his music in a BBC tribute concert for Wright. He initially agreed, but later told Thomas he did not plan to attend. In the week before the concert, she allegedly suggested the event would be a good opportunity to network. 'This is not about networking. This is about a tribute to my friend,' James said. James believes the last-minute push to honour Wright was driven by concern that his absence would 'look bad' for the BBC. The BBC said in a statement: 'Steve was deeply loved by the Radio 2 family and listeners, and we all miss him dearly. For almost three decades he hosted a raft of brilliant shows on the network. 'Steve's Sunday Love Songs had been on air since 1996 and he was excited to take on the legendary Pick of the Pops alongside a variety of specials on Radio 2 including Steve Wright: The Best of the Guests, Steve Wright's Summer Nights and Steve Wright's Love Songs Extra on BBC Sounds.'
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I worked with Steve Wright for 30 years. The BBC has tarnished his legacy'
Later this month, BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a tribute concert for Steve Wright – the adored DJ, who died last February. It will feature the bespoke jingles that were such a crucial part of shows such as Steve Wright in the Afternoon and Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, but the man behind those jingles, Anthony James, is not involved. Since Wright's death at the age of 69, James says he has been dismayed by the BBC's handling of his friend's legacy – and haunted by what he sees as mistreatment by the corporation in the years leading up to his death. The pair first met in 1986 when James (known professionally as AJ) was a teenager. He had already begun working in local radio, composing unique musical idents for the station's presenters. A fan of Wright's BBC shows, James sent him a 30-second piece of music, with his 'cold pitch' resulting in a phone call to his home soon afterwards. 'My mother picked it up and ran upstairs and said, 'Oh my God, it's Steve Wright on the phone.' I thought it was one of my friends doing a prank,' James reflects, but it was Wright, promising that he would play the tune on his show at 3pm that very afternoon. So began a partnership that James describes as '50-50 friendship, 50-50 like a father figure'. At the outset, Wright appeared to him 'like the Wizard of Oz: he was this great big celebrity on one of the biggest stations in Europe'. When James moved to New York in the late 1990s to continue his career as a composer (still writing around 100 jingles a year across Wright's shows), their friendship continued to develop: 'He would tell me a lot of personal stuff, which was great. But first, he would always want to know what was up with me, what was going on in my world… He was very sensitive, very conscious of how I was doing.' Wright visited James in New York often; they spoke on the phone two or three times a week. He remembers Wright's levity during their calls. 'I miss that, big time. I would always get off the phone with Steve and I'd have laughed so much, because he just found humour in everything.' In the years leading up to his death, however, Wright would suffer a series of personal and professional setbacks. The first came in 2022, when Steve Wright in the Afternoon was axed by the BBC. Wright called a tearful James once the news broke; both saw the move as 'crazy; our numbers [were] through the roof'. Wright admitted that he had been told of its cancellation and sworn to secrecy by the organisation nine months prior, but was reassured by promises made by Helen Thomas, the head of BBC Radio 2, that the show would live on via a yet-to-be-created digital channel. When that prospect began looking increasingly unlikely, Wright approached Tim Davie, the director-general. According to James, Davie told Wright: 'I can't believe she fired you… I wouldn't have fired you myself.' The BBC has, however, denied this. James believes that the axing of Steve Wright in the Afternoon was part of a push to banish broadcasters considered too 'pale, male and stale' from the airwaves, and to create a kind of conformity at direct odds with Wright's verve. 'They just wanted it a little bit more like wallpaper,' he says of Thomas's decision to 'do something different in the afternoons'. 'They thought that this idea of personality [displayed in abundance by Wright] is old style; it's not cool anymore, we should make Radio 2 cool,' he says. 'But who gives a s--- about cool? It's about being entertained.' The effect on Wright was devastating. 'He didn't really stop to accept it. I think it ate him up,' James tells me. 'It got worse, and his health got worse.' Wright had heart surgery a year after the show was axed, and the medication he took in its aftermath led him to put on even more weight. 'He told me, 'I'm just really not well. I'm trying to lose the weight, I think I'm going to have a gastric band.'' James says that Wright also considered using Ozempic. Despite Wright's best attempts to get better, James recalls that: 'There was something about our last meeting [in November 2023]. There was just a look in his eye. I told my partner [afterwards] that something was really wrong.' Then, the following February, Wright died, leaving James overwhelmed with grief. 'I was not on this planet,' he says of that time. The groundswell of public affection went some way to easing his sadness, but that was quickly dismantled by the actions of the BBC. 'The painful truth is that the same BBC leadership celebrating Steve publicly is the one that disregarded and undermined our work privately,' says James. After Wright's death, James feels that they tried to 'delegitimise' his and Wright's relationship. 'I felt disgusted by that,' says James. 'Our relationship was so successful and it lasted for 38 years, and I feel like they're just s---ting on it.' And on Wright himself: a man who attended the studio at nine o'clock each morning to prepare for his afternoon show, and was dedicated to his listeners to the last. In response to questions about the treatment of Wright, the BBC said: 'Steve was deeply loved by the Radio 2 family and listeners, and we all miss him dearly. For almost three decades he hosted a raft of brilliant shows on the network. 'Steve's Sunday Love Songs had been on air since 1996 and he was excited to take on the legendary Pick of the Pops alongside a variety of specials on Radio 2 including Steve Wright: The Best of the Guests, Steve Wright's Summer Nights and Steve Wright's Love Songs Extra on BBC Sounds.' Thomas wrote to James in autumn last year asking for permission to play his music in the BBC tribute concert for Wright, which was recorded earlier this year (ahead of this month's transmission). He agreed, but when he rediscovered a recording of Wright railing at the poor internal handling of his show being axed, 'I just got more and more angry.' James talked through the matter with Wright's son, before telling Thomas that he no longer planned to attend. Then, in the week before the concert, she let him know that 'the great and the good will be there', which James took to mean: don't miss an opportunity to network. 'And I said, 'I'm not f---ing networking; this is not about networking. This is about a tribute to my friend.'' James thinks this last-minute push was driven by fear that his absence would 'look bad' for the BBC. 'It just started stinking towards the end of it, and I thought, 'No, I've given my music, my music will represent me, and that's it. I'm not going,' he says. When I put James's thoughts to the BBC, a spokesman replied: 'When inviting AJ to the recording of the celebration of Steve's broadcast career, where new arrangements of his work would be played live on stage, Helen's sole aim was to make sure AJ did not miss what promised to be, and indeed proved to be, a very special event, with many of Steve's friends and colleagues in attendance.' It is clear that James feels both he and Wright have been wronged by the BBC. The outpouring of affection from fans since Wright's death, compared with what he sees as shoddy treatment by the corporation now openly celebrating him, has made the past 18 months particularly challenging. Wright would have turned 71 on August 26, and his birthday will spark 'very intense' feelings for James as he remembers their friendship and their creative partnership. 'I miss all that,' he says, 'and that makes me very emotional.' Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Debenhams watch that goes 'great with a suit' now only £40 after 83% price cut
'For the price, excellent value. Stylish, comfortable, a joy to wear.' Shopping for a new watch can be an overwhelming experience at times as there are so many different brands and styles on the market. And if you aren't willing or aren't able to spend a hefty wad of cash to buy a high end designer watch, your options may become significantly limited. Thankfully, Debenhams has a cracking sale on a variety of luxury brands, as well as some unique lesser known designers. With thousands of watches getting hundreds of pounds slashed off their price tags, there is certainly something in sale to catch everyone's eye. For those looking for a watch that will look great with formal attire on a budget, Debenhams has cut the price of the Anthony James Limited Edition Skeleton Automatic Mens Watch. Normally priced at £239.99, shoppers can now grab the watch for £200 cheaper at only £39.99. With a mixture of black, silver and gold in its design, this Anthony James watch is sure to turn some heads when worn with a suit or during everyday events. Shoppers will see that the timepiece is powered by a 162 Part 21 Jewel fully automatic movement, as the complicated movement is exposed through the pitch black open dial, as well as through its robust stainless steel skeleton case back. This provides wearers with two vantage points to view the inside engineering. Anthony James Limited Edition Skeleton Automatic Mens Watch £239.99 £39.99 Debenhams Buy Now Product Description Along with the unique skeleton design, the dial also features gold hands, jeweled hour markers and Roman numerals to give the timepiece a refined look. Finished off with a two-tone bracelet, this watch is said to come with a five year warranty. Another watch in the Debenhams sale is the Anthony James Hand Assembled Chrono Sports Watch. Normally priced at £239.99, shoppers can not grab it for £39.99. Featuring a chronograph design, the watch is equipped with a fluted bezel, minute, hour and second sub dials, as well as a date function. For those who are happy to spend a bit more money, Ernest Jones has knocked the price of the BOSS Tyler Black Dial & Stainless Steel Mesh Watch. Usually retailing for £199, shoppers can now buy the sleek and stylish watch for £140 in the sale - saving shoppers £59. For those impressed by the limited edition Anthony James watch, you aren't alone as many shoppers have left raved reviews, with one person sharing that they were a repeat buyer of the brand. One five-star reviewer wrote: "This watch will give you that look of class; goes great with a suit." With another adding on: "Very nice watch, this is my second purchase now. I've also had the black version with a slightly different face and all black band for around two years. "For the price range, you can't find a nicer automatic skeleton imo and I highly recommend them." Fashion deal of the week Calling all fashion fans, as we have found the dress to compliment a golden, sun-kissed tan this summer. It's Roman's White Lace Bodice Shirred Midi Dress, and it looks perfect for any tropical getaways or beach holidays. Costing £38, it boasts a strap-style design, with a chic crochet overlay bodice and a flowing midi-length skirt. It's finished with a simple round neckline that can be easily layered with statement necklaces for those days it is being worn to fancier events, or for going out to dinner. While the white colourway is ideal for highlighting a summer tan, it is worth noting that shoppers can also purchase the midi frock in both pink and black, with sizes all of them being available in sizes 10 to 20. The strappy maxi dress has been the subject of glowing praise, as it has garnered a stellar five star rating from shoppers who say it "looks lovely with a suntan" and is "stunning" to wear. One delighted shopper said: "It's very flattering and looks lovely with a suntan." Get holiday ready by purchasing Roman's White Lace Bodice Shirred Midi Dress for £38 now. However, some shoppers grumbled about the size. One person said: "Watch is good looking and beautiful. Only the chain was a little bigger but taking out few links made it fit perfectly. Happy with the purchase" While another struggled to remove the links themselves: "Trying to take links out got the proper kit but it's impossible to On the flip side, a top reviewer added: "For the price, excellent value. Stylish, comfortable, a joy to wear. Gains about a minute a day but I can live with that." With a sixth shopper also praising: "Absolutely love it. Can't wait to get strap amended so I can start wearing it." To buy the Anthony James Limited Edition Skeleton Automatic Mens Watch, click HERE. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Fox Sports
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
INDYCAR To Salute California Wildfire First Responders at Long Beach
INDYCAR INDYCAR will honor first responders who bravely fought the Southern California wildfires in January during the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend. Multiple salutes will take place on the streets of Long Beach during a special anniversary weekend for one of the most prestigious events in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Honors include: All 27 cars in the starting field of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will feature LA Strong decals, increasing awareness and support of first responders fighting wildfires. The honorary starter of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 13 will be Los Angeles City Fire Captain Erik Scott. Pasadena Fire Department Chief Anthony James also will be recognized during pre-race ceremonies, and County of Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Malcolm Dicks will serve as the honorary starter of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race Saturday. Twenty-seven first responders from various departments will ride in the back of pickup trucks, one with each of the 27 NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers in the field, during pre-race ceremonies. A special-edition LA Strong shirt featuring the same logo as the decal on the race cars is available now online at the INDYCAR store and on site at Long Beach. Just over 200 shirts will be available, a ceremonial run of merchandise allowing members of the INDYCAR community to share in the weekend's theme. INDYCAR will make a special contribution to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Foundation to aid its continued service to the community. Proceeds from the T-shirt sale will not contribute directly to this donation. 'The first responders performed heroic duty during a very difficult and challenging time in Los Angeles,' said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC. 'They rose to the occasion and worked tirelessly to protect people's lives and property. We are delighted to have the opportunity to recognize their efforts by honoring them prior to the start of both the IMSA and INDYCAR races.' The LA Strong effort continues salutes to Southern California first responders during the buildup to the event weekend. Andretti Global driver and 2021 Long Beach winner Colton Herta, a Southern California native, was part of a group that recently honored Long Beach firefighters Captain Brian Sher and Engineer Tyler Vanderstelt – both of whom fought the wildfires on the front lines – with a helmet swap at Fire Station 1 in downtown Long Beach. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach starts at 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday, April 13, with live coverage on FOX, FOX Sports Deportes, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network. recommended
