Tony Blackburn 'so sad' over Steve Wright's death as he remembers radio legend

14 February 2024 , 09:30

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Tony Blackburn has told Good Morning Britain he was "so shocked" by the death of his good friend Steve Wright.

The radio legend said he was struggling to come to terms with the fact he would never see the BBC Radio 2 favourite again, having known each other for decades. News of Steve's death at the age of 69 broke on Tuesday, leaving his colleagues and listeners saddened and in shock.

Steve's pre-recorded final show of Sunday Love Songs was broadcast last Sunday, just days before his death. On Wednesday, Tony and Steve's co-host of 24 years Janey Lee Grace shared their reactions and sadness to their friend's "shocking" death with GMB hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Ed Balls.

Tony praised his "wonderful" and "kind" friend, saying he "will miss him so much". Janey called her late pal a "friend" to his listeners, as she spoke of his incredible radio and broadcasting career.

On his reaction to Steve's passing, Tony said: "I've known him for many, many years. I thought he was just brilliant right from the word go. I was so shocked yesterday to hear he had passed away.

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Tony Blackburn 'so sad' over Steve Wright's death as he remembers radio legend

Tony Blackburn and Janey Lee Grace remembered late friend Steve Wright on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (ITV)

"I still can't get it in my mind that I'm not gonna see him again. We used to meet up every Friday at Radio 2, we used to find one another funny. I used to go into the studio and we'd chat and laugh for half an hour together every single Friday.

"He became a great friend. He worked so hard. I'm so sad he's no longer with us. He was a genuine person, he wasn’t pretending to be someone else, that was the secret. What you got with him was what he was.

"He had a wonderful sense of humour, he was just wonderful. All of us at Radio 2 will miss him so much. He was a lovely, kind man." Janey added: "He was very funny. He was so supportive of all of the guests, he made everyone feel relaxed. It's like we lost a friend for everyone."

His family broke the news in a statement on Tuesday, which 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."

The news sparked a wave of tributes. Fellow DJ Zoe Ball shared a tribute, saying: "Wrighty. Our Radio friend, our inspiration, master of broadcasting, the Godfather, a dear friend, always there for us all with support, advice & love & most importantly laughter. Rest well you wonderful magic man. Life won't be the same without you here. Love you my friend my hero x."

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Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, shared an emotional tribute, stating: "Steve understood the connection and companionship that radio engenders better than anyone, and we all loved him for it. 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."

She added: "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."