14 February 2024 , 07:19
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Nicki Chapman broke down in tears as she read out listener tributes to Steve Wright live on Radio 2.
Tributes have been pouring in for radio legend Steve after he tragically died on Tuesday aged 69. The presenter joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host afternoon shows on both Radio 1 and 2.
As Nicki returned to air the morning after the shock news was announced, she could not hide her emotions on her early morning Breakfast Show. She paid tribute to Steve on the Breakfast Show and said: "It is so difficult to sum up what Steve meant to all of us. The devastatingly sad news has come as a complete shock.
Nicki broke down in tears as she read out tributes to her late colleague (Twitter/@Nicki_Chapman)
Steve's death at the age of 69 was announced on Tuesday (Getty Images)"Everyone seems to have such fond memories of our Wrighty because that's how we viewed and that's how we listened to him. He was ours. He was our mate, talking to us in our kitchens as we made a brew, in our bedrooms, in the shower, in our cars, taxis, lorries, in our form rooms at school, in our gardens, at work - he was always in our hearts."
She then thanked the listeners for their tributes to Steve as she sits in for Zoe Ball this week. Nicki added: "It is a difficult day, it is a difficult day for all of us but we are doing him justice." The presenter then read out some tributes from listeners. She said: "They are wonderful so do send them in this morning."
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Nicki then read out one message from a listener who shared how they were a guest presenter on Steve's show back in 2016 thanks to a Children In Need competition. She read: "It was around the time of my 50th birthday celebrations and it was all my birthdays and Christmases at once. In person, he was the kind, funny, humble and lovable person I had listened to..."
Nicki's voice began to break, as she carried on reading: "...over the airways all my life. I am heartbroken says Fred in Cumbria." She quickly put on a song and when returning to air, Nicki said: "I said to myself I wasn't going to cry and I have done it once. The tears are there but hopefully they are not going to keep falling. Today we are looking at the great, great man himself."
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Yesterday, Radio 2 host Sara Cox paid an emotional tribute to Steve and shared that she hoped to do him "proud" with her show. She told listeners: "It's really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright's passing, except we are all absolutely devastated and shocked and blindsided by this news. Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really, really. kind person.
"He was witty, he was warm, and he was a huge, huge part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will all be absolutely shattered too." She also encouraged fans to share their memories of Steve with her. A statement issued by Steve's family yesterday read: "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. As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time."