News of legendary DJ Steve Wright’s death earlier this week has shocked the nation as tributes continue to pour in.
While former employee the BBC have been paying tribute to the 69-year-old ever since, the broadcaster has been receiving a heavy amount of backlash after some claimed Wright died of a “broken heart” after being axed by the corporation.
Wright, who had worked for BBC Radio 2 since 1996, was replaced by Scott Mills on his afternoon radio slow in 2022.
His close friend Gary Farrow has claimed Wright never got over the decision, and while Wright’s official cause of death hasn’t been disclosed to the public, many are linking the stress of losing his beloved position with his untimely death.
The BBC have now announced another gesture to the broadcaster as they’ve confirmed plans to air four Top of the Pops episodes from the BBC archive, including Wright’s final appearance on the classic show.
A spokesperson from the broadcaster told GB News: "We’ve been remembering Steve on air all week together with our presenters and listeners, and we’ll continue to celebrate his decades with the BBC this weekend.
Steve died on Monday and his family confirmed the news to the public on Tuesday
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"On BBC Four, audiences can catch his first ever Top of the Pops from 1980, on BBC Sounds there’s a special collection and this weekend’s Pick of the Pops and Sunday Love Songs will be dedicated to Steve, presented by Gary Davies and Liza Tarbuck.”
Programmes featuring the late star are also available to watch on BBC Sounds, while the channel has also confirmed a commission to celebrate Wright's career later in the year.
Speaking to GB News, a BBC spokesperson said: “Steve was deeply loved by the Radio 2 family and listeners, and for almost three decades he hosted a raft of brilliant shows on the network enjoyed by millions.
"In addition to his past Saturday and Afternoon Shows, Steve’s Sunday Love Songs has been on air since 1996, and most recently Steve also hosted the legendary Pick of the Pops on Saturdays, alongside a variety of specials on Radio 2, and Steve Wright: The Best of the Guests, Steve Wright’s Summer Nights and Steve Wright’s Love Songs Extra on BBC Sounds. We will miss him dearly."
While no further details surrounding Wright's death have been confirmed, his brother Laurence broke his silence on Thursday, explaining his brother was "aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices".
Wright enjoyed a lengthy career with the BBC before being replaced in 2022
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He continued: "Obviously we all wish he had. It's like anyone who doesn't look after themselves over an extended period.
"The normal stuff - diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress - he was a very stoic kind of guy as well so if he had something wrong with him and he had to go to have some treatment or go to the doctors, he wouldn't talk about it."
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added: "That's just how he was - that probably didn't help really, because he wouldn't have help or take advice necessarily."
A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police told GB News on Wednesday the broadcaster's death was being treated as "unexpected but not suspicious".
Wright's death is being treated as 'unexpected but not suspicious' according to police
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They confirmed: "We were called at 10:19hrs on Monday, February 12 after the body of a man was found at a flat in the Marylebone area.
"Officers responded along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. A man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
"The death was unexpected but is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner."
