Steve Wright's successor Scott Mills pays sweet tribute to 'inspirational' DJ
Radio DJ Scott Mills has paid a heartbreaking tribute to Steve Wright who has sadly passed away at the age of 69.
The BBC Radio 2 DJ's death was announced by his family on Tuesday in a heartbreaking statement. In a heartfelt message, they said: "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."
Scott posted a throwback photo of Steve from his early career (Getty Images)Paying tribute to the iconic star in a heartbreaking Instagram tribute, Scott, 50, gushed that Steve was 'the best to ever do it'. Scott penned: "Steve Wright is one of our greatest ever broadcasters. He made everything sound effortless, and worked so hard to make every show world class. He was a constant inspiration to me on how to do radio that sounded big.
"When I first started doing shows at Radio 2, he and I spent hours reminiscing about his days at Radio 1, and I would listen to his stories and wisdom in awe. My thoughts are with his family and my colleagues who have worked with him for so many years. Steve, you’re the best to ever do it," the radio DJ added.
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Scott took over Steve's afternoon programme during a string of schedule changes at the station in 2022, but Steve stayed with Radio 2, continuing to present Sunday Love Songs as well as a series of specials and podcasts.
Steve, who spent 23 years at the radio station, announced he would be stepping down from daytime radio in September 2022 when Scott announced he would be taking over.
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In a tribute to Steve, Tim Davie, BBC Director General, shared: "All of us at the BBC are heartbroken to hear this terribly sad news. 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. This was deservedly recognised in the New Year Honours list with his MBE for services to radio. No-one had more energy to deliver shows that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They loved him deeply. We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him terribly."
Elsewhere, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, paid tribute to Steve as she remembered his glittering career. She said: "Steve understood the connection and companionship that radio engenders better than anyone, and we all loved him for it.
Steve's death at the age of 69 was announced on Tuesday (Getty Images)
The radio DJ has died at the age of 69 (PA)"He was a consummate professional whose attention to detail was always second to none, and he made his guests laugh, he was fair, and he wanted to showcase them and their work in the best possible light, bringing brilliant stories to our listeners.
"Steve’s afternoon show was an institution that began on Radio 1 and later moved over to Radio 2 where it was broadcast for 23 years. He believed in the BBC passionately during his career that spanned for more than four decades, and he was always up for pursuing new ideas.
"He brought joy to millions of listeners with his Sunday Love Songs as well as the legendary Pick of the Pops, which he took on last year and was having fun experimenting with, alongside a host of specials and new BBC Sounds formats which he loved doing.
"Steve was the first presenter I ever produced more than twenty years ago, and I remember the pure amazement I felt, sitting opposite this legendary broadcaster whose shows I had listened to and marvelled at whilst growing up in Hull.
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"For all of us at Radio 2, he was a wonderful colleague and a friend with his excellent sense of humour, generosity with his time, and endless wise words. We were lucky to have him with us for all these decades, and we will miss his talent and his friendship terribly."
Elsewhere, Vanessa Feltz also paid tribute to Steve after learning of his sad death. Vanessa, who first worked with Steve 34 years ago, became great friends with the radio legend following their time as colleagues at Radio 2.
In a touching tribute, Vanessa said: "Thank you Steve, for all the hours, all the music and especially the bit I used to like the best. I know he used to drive some people crazy, but when he used to sing along.
Vanessa posted a heartbreaking tribute to Steve (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Tributes have poured in for the much-loved star (Geoff Wilkinson/REX/Shutterstock)"I used to love it when he sang along. It was hilarious. I'm still not sure whether he could actually sing or not but he didn’t seem to care. He would just blithely sing, come crashing in with his own chords and, you know, some people used to write to the BBC to complain. They regularly got complaints about it but I used to absolutely love it."
She continued: "I never dared do it when I was on Radio 2 and I always used to say If I was Steve Wright, I’d definitely be singing along but I don’t dare inflict this on you lovely listener because I love you but he had no such compunction. He was a really unusual, really unprecedented radio voice.
"He’ll never be followed. You know when people say ‘You’ll never see his like again’- nobody will ever hear his like again because there's nobody like him and never will be. Really original creative, extraordinary person and I'm absolutely shocked and devastated at this news.
"Sometimes you know you're trying to do your professional job and pay tribute to somebody who thoroughly deserves a thoroughly excellent tribute.
"But really in my heart and in my head I’m just thinking ‘Oh my God I’m never going to see him again, because this is real, I'm not just making this up. This is years and years of knowing him, working with him, hanging around with him, chatting with him - basically, I used to just try and learn from him."
The presenter joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host afternoon shows on both Radio 1 and 2. He fronted shows for the broadcaster for more than four decades, including Top of the Pops on BBC TV.
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