Latest news with #SundayLoveSongs
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC workmen ripped apart Steve Wright's old studio in week he died
BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine told how workmen ripped apart Steve Wright's old studio and showed lack of compassion to older staff members BBC workmen ripped apart Steve Wright's old studio in the very week that he died. The Radio Two presenter passed away in February last year aged 69 from a ruptured stomach ulcer. Two years before he had been axed from his very popular weekday show by the station – a move which had angered his army of listeners. Instead he had continued hosting his Sunday Love Songs programme. Now details have emerged that when the BBC moved out of Wogan House in London in the spring last year, their timing for tearing out rooms and removing equipment could not have been worse. Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine has revealed: ' Steve Wright – what an amazing man. 'His studio was torn out in the week he died very sadly because they were changing offices and of course the way they tear these things out is not particularly respectful of the history of all the machines that were in there because Steve had asked for them.. that microphone was Steve's microphone!' Vine, who also has a Channel 5 daytime show, said staff were in tears when word reached them that 'Wrightie' - who had been at the station since the 1980s - had died. And he had to console one newsreader who was especially close to him – but even that moment was ruined by a workman who showed a lack of compassion. He added: 'When he died, there was a particular news reader who was very very close friends with him and she was very upset because she was in the newsroom and she found out he had died because she saw the script for it. Terrible. ' I said 'Let's go and talk about it' and we went off. Now this was all part of this big office move and there was a sign outside (his old studio) saying 'Do Not Enter'... so we of course ignored that. 'So we go into the studio and we start talking, hugging, crying and talking about Steve and then we must have appeared on some camera because a guy comes up with a clipboard and opens the door and says 'Excuse me.. can you not read this sign?' 'I said 'Sorry' but I can see my friend the news reader is about to go ballistic. And she said 'This is our church!' which is such a great line. It made me think how deep all this runs.' Former Strictly contestant Vine also admitted that it was a sad sign of the times that the BBC is staffed with many younger employees who do not know the history of the station nor the legendary radio presenters who helped make the channel what it is today. And a recent experience made him realise how easily famous DJs can be forgotten. The star, who has recently released a murder mystery novel Murder On Line One, explained at the Bath Literary Festival: 'Obviously all my producers now are 22 or 23 years old and as we cleared out the desks in the old building which is called Wogan House, one of them pulled this massive lump of metal out. 'And it was a bust in bronze and they said 'Who the hell is this?' It was a guy with a collar and tie on. And I said 'Look at the name!' And they looked at it and turned it around and said 'Jimmy Young. Who's that?' I said 'Guys he presented the show for 29 years'. But it was a bit of a reminder of the generational gap – and once you are gone, you are gone! And I suppose a lot of broadcasters do worry about that.' A BBC spokesman said: "Radio 2 moved out of Wogan House and all the studios were decommissioned on the same weekend that Steve tragically passed away. Steve's microphone was saved, mounted on a stand and featured prominently in the celebration of his career that took place at the BBC recently. The event was recorded and will be broadcast later this year."
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Steve Wright's family ‘in toxic feud' one year after Radio 2 DJ's death
Steve Wright 's family are 'embroiled in a toxic feud' one year after the sudden death of the Radio 2 DJ. The beloved BBC presenter died from a ruptured ulcer in his stomach on 12 February 2024, aged 69, prompting tributes from the world of music and entertainment. Now, according to reports, Wright's family are at war over the DJ's 94-year-old father's decision to marry his much younger carer. Wright's father Richard, who is believed to be 'seriously ill', married Marta Juanes Martin, 51, in September 2024, which, according to The Sun, has 'torn the family apart'. It's been claimed that Wright's brother Laurence 'was so upset' he 'refused'to attend the ceremony, which took place at Worthing Library in West Sussex. A source said: 'It's all very strange and obviously raises a lot of questions. He looks like he could be her grandfather.' Marta acknowledged to the outlet that their relationship was 'difficult', but maintained that she loves her husband. She also addressed Laurence's absence from the nuptials, stating that he was in Spain. Another source insisted that the pair are 'incredibly happy together', but added: 'Of course the fallout that has been sparked by their marriage is very sad for everyone involved.' They also said that 'any suggestion of any nefarious wrongdoing is cruel and utterly without warrant' and 'is very hurtful to both Marta and Richard'. After Wright died, Laurence blamed 'lifestyle choices' made by the Sunday Love Songs host, who died at home in his central London flat. However, it is now thought Wright died as a result of a perforated gastric peptic ulcer and acute peritonitis, according to his death certificate. Peritonitis is an infection of the lining of the stomach, while a perforated ulcer is a rarer complication when the lining of the stomach splits open. The Metropolitan Police previously said Wright's death was unexpected, but was not being treated as suspicious. No inquest was held into his death. News of Wright's death was first announced by a tearful Sara Cox on her Radio 2 show. She said: 'It's really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright's passing except that we are all absolutely devastated and shocked and blindsided by this news.' Wright's family in a statement: '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. BBC director-general Tim Davie also paid tribute to Wright, saying everyone at the BBC is 'heartbroken' at the 'terribly sad news' of his death. He said at the time: 'Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades. 'He was the ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners.' Wright first joined the BBC in the early Seventies as a clerk before leaving to start broadcasting in 1976 at Thames Valley Radio. His big break came in 1979 when he got his own nightly show on Radio Luxembourg. He then returned to the BBC in 1980, taking over a Saturday evening slot on Radio 1. The show that would define his career and last more than 35 years, Steve Wright in the Afternoon, was launched in 1981. During its first iteration, which lasted until 1993, he introduced the 'zoo' concept to British radio, featuring spoofs, comedy skits and wacky segments. After a brief stint hosting the Radio 1 breakfast show, Wright left for two years at Talk Radio. He rejoined the BBC in 1996. Wright retained his afternoon show from 1999 to 2022. The DJ continued presenting Sunday Love Songs – even after stepping down from the channel in September 2022. Michael Ball has taken over as presenter since Wright's death, calling his predecessor's legacy 'immeasurable'. He was made an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to radio. Wright was married to Cyndi Robinson until their divorce in 1999 and has two children.
