14 February 2024 , 12:43
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Vernon Kay broke down as he paid tribute to his late colleague Steve Wright at the end of his BBC Radio 2 show.
The presenter had dedicated his radio programme to the legendary host on Wednesday morning. He was determined not to cry as he wanted to have a "smile" on his face throughout the show. It comes after Steve's tragic death was announced on Tuesday aged 69. Vernon told listeners at the start of his show: "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." At the end of Vernon's show, he played a tribute to Steve by the BBC Concert Orchestra. However, Vernon broke down as he handed over to them.
Steve sadly died aged 69 (PA)
Vernon broke down as he handed over to Jeremy Vine (BBC)He told listeners: "Alright everyone, deep breath. Now we started the show talking about our good friend Steve Wright and we are going to end it that way as well. So to take out the show and as a mark of respect..." Vernon took a pause as his voice broke, and added: "Here is a piece of music that is close to our hearts... now over to our arranger Adam Dennis and the BBC concert orchestra."
Steve's iconic theme tune was played by the orchestra to mark the end of Vernon's show. BBC Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine started his programme with a long pause, as he said: "I don't know what to say or do in response to that, thank you. Are you still there Vernon? You okay my friend?"
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There was no reply from Vernon as Jeremy continued: "This is a really strange day here at Radio 2. So if we sound a little bit off the pace and just immersed in this thing, it is just a bit too big for us to be honest." Jeremy ended up sobbing as he took listeners calls on their memories of Steve and asked one caller to take over.
During his show, Vernon said: "It really is a sad loss, but I am not going to think about it throughout the show because I will get really upset." Earlier in the day, presenter Nicki Chapman stood in for Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show and broke down in tears as she read tributes from fans. 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, with 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."