Vernon Kay 'can't think about Steve Wright' following tragic death aged 69
Vernon Kay has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late colleague Steve Wright following his shock death aged 69.
The long-time BBC radio host tragically died on Tuesday after fronting shows on Radio 1 and 2 for decades. Tributes have been flooding in for Steve, as his BBC Radio 2 colleagues carry on their broadcasts. On Wednesday morning, Vernon Kay returned to his show and started off with a tribute to Steve.
He told listeners: "As we know, the big news story our dear friend and colleague Steve Wright has passed. I am not going to get down about it because that's what Steve would have wanted. He'd have wanted us to celebrate so I am going to do the show today with a smile on my face and think of the big man, the don, the master of his craft. He was an absolute perfectionist and that's what we will try and do today."
Vernon wanted to keep smiling as he paid tribute to Steve (BBC)
Steve sadly died aged 69 (PA)Vernon added: "It really is a sad loss, but I am not going to think about it throughout the show because I will get really upset." In a statement yesterday, Steve's family 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. As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time."
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His death has rocked BBC Radio 2 as Nicki Chapman broke down as she paid tribute to Steve on the Breakfast Show. She 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. 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."
The presenter then read out some tributes from listeners. She said: "They are wonderful so do send them in this morning." 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."
Radio 2 host Sara Cox paid an emotional tribute to Steve and shared that she hoped to do him "proud" with her show yesterday. 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."
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