Steve Wright's cause of death - what we know as doctor issues warning
Steve Wright's cause of death is still not known but a friend close to the star revealed he revealed he underwent a heart bypass and a doctor has now issued a stark warning about heart health.
The legendary BBC Radio 2 host was found dead at his home on Monday February 12 aged 69. Tributes quickly flooded in for the legendary radio presenter from his BBC colleagues to close friends and adoring listeners. Steve held his much-loved BBC Radio 2 slot from 1999 until 2022 when it was taken over by Scott Mills.
He hinted it wasn't his decision to leave radio, as friends have since shared how the loss "devastated" him. Steve had reportedly spoken to BBC Radio bosses just days before his death about his health and last appeared on air just a day before for a pre-recorded Valentines Day special. It became his final ever broadcast.
The sudden death of BBC radio presenter has been declared 'unexpected' but 'not suspicious' by police. Here is a look at everything we know about the presenter's tragic death so far...
Secret heart operation
A close friend of Steve revealed he underwent a heart bypass 15 months before his death. According to Mark Wells, the former controller of ITV Entertainment, the much-loved broadcaster had undergone secret surgery before his passing and was 'more ill than he let on.'
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Speaking about his late friend on Colin Edmonds' podcast Behind The Scenes, Mr Wells said: "Steve had a heart operation about 15months ago. He had a bypass operation that had gone well…and I think he was more ill than he was letting on. The recovery had gone pretty well but the events of the last couple of days was probably what in the end came for him."
Doctor issues warning
In light of the news that Wright underwent heart surgery, Dr Mark Porter has warned certain operations “aren’t always feasible” when discussing the importance of heart health.
Writing in , Dr Porter noted that for some people, arteries providing the heart’s blood supply are prone to “furring up” which can increase the likelihood of blockages. Listing symptoms such as chest pain, Dr Porter described a treatment known as stenting, saying: “The latest treatment for more severe narrowings or blockages involves inserting a stent to open up the artery, and this can be done as a planned (elective) procedure in people with angina, and as an emergency in someone who is having a heart attack.”
He added: “However, stenting isn’t always feasible if there are multiple narrowings.” He went on to stress the importance of heart health and cited lifestyle and diet as key factors when it comes to looking after our hearts.
Steve Wright has passed away at the age of 69 (BBC)Radio 2 U-turn
A friend of Steve claimed he was offered his weekday afternoon slot on BBC Radio 2 back shortly before his death. According to Mark Wells, Steve asked about a return to the slot that was taken over by Scott Mills. He said: "This is absolutely the truth and the BBC will deny this but this is what Steve said to me last Friday. He said: ‘Guess what happened this week. I got a call from Radio 2 and they very quietly asked me how I would feel about going back to do the afternoons’.
“My reaction was like yours followed by laughter, I said ‘Oh my god what do you think of that?’ And he said well he thought it was funny as well. And he said ‘I don't know if you should ever go back in life though do you?’ Given what’s happened since I feel that gives the story of Steve Wright’s broadcasting career a wonderful symmetry ….there’s a slight poetry to it somehow.”
Sunday Love Songs returns
Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs returned to the air days after his death with a special episode dedicated to the late host. Steve's friend and Radio 2 colleague Liza Tarbuck took over hosting as she played the late presenter's favourite tracks and shared memories from his beloved listeners.
Opening the emotionally-charged show, Liza began: "Good morning to you we are live in Wogan House. This is is Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs without the chief... without our genius friend. So while you're getting a tissue I think it would be lovely if you lit him a candle. I make no apologies if I get upset during the next two hours and you shouldn't either." Steve is said to have pre-recorded another episode before his death, but the BBC have chosen not to air it.
Radio 2 replacement
Following Liza's heartbreaking tribute, the BBC confirmed Steve Wright's Radio 2 Sunday Love Songs show would return with a new host. Steve's friend and Early Breakfast show host Nicki Chapman will present the programme both until and including the Easter period until a permanent host is found.
Nicki, who hosted her first show on Sunday 25th February, said of taking over Steve: “It will be a privilege to present Sunday Love Songs in the coming weeks, so please do tune in and keep me company as I share the listeners’ favourite songs alongside their heart-warming stories and memories of loved ones.”
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Steve's son pays tribute
Steve Wright's son Tom paid tribute to the BBC star and said he got to know him in a way he 'never had before' after caring for him before he died. Tom left his home in Los Angeles to fly to London to be with his dad in his final weeks. In an emotional post Tom said: "God rest your soul Dad, and thank you for all your for all the kind words from all the lives that he touched and people that loved him. It's gonna be an intense few days, so catching up and hearing from old friends and new would mean more than anything else right now too...
"Rough as it may be, I thank the Gods I'm sober, as this would have straight up killed me even a couple of years ago after losing Mum over the pandemic in the same way without getting to see him before he passed after flying back to take care of the old blighter. Still, I will cherish every memory we made, and it's not like I don't have a few shows to be working through whenever I miss his voice, though tears me up too much now to consider...
"But it means the world hearing from so many beloved friends of his and mine and I only hope to make him proud; and build on his legacy with kindness and love anyways I can! Love you all and miss you already dad. #ConnectionAsCure," alongside a broken heart emoji.
Farewell to a legend
The BBC aired four special editions of Top of the Pops last Friday, which the presenter had previously hosted - including his last outing in October 1989. The final episode ended with a portrait of Steve taken at Wogan house leaving viewers in tears. "Saw the first episode and thought how good he was," posted one fan to social media. "It was a pleasure to watch 4 vintage top of the pops presented by Steve Wright last night on BBC 4. The last one was his final ever episode and fittingly it ended with him and his co presenter genuinely laughing," added another.
"Watching reruns of Top of the Pops featuring Steve Wright. Some of the performances haven’t stood the test of time, but Steve’s enthusiasm shines through it all. A sad loss," agreed another.
Police statement
Emergency services rushed to the BBC Radio DJ's home in Marylebone, London on Monday (12 February), just after 10am. Steve was pronounced dead at the scene and police confirmed his "unexpected" death is not being treated as suspicious. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "A man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene.
"His next of kin have been informed. The death was unexpected, but is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner." London Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the address following "reports of an incident". Despite their efforts, Steve was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Steve's brother shares 'hidden' health battles
Steve's brother has claimed the late broadcaster died due to lifestyle choices and a poor dietSteve's brother has claimed the late broadcaster died due to lifestyle choices and a poor diet. Laurence Wright dismissing claims his late sibling died "due to a broken heart" following his BBC Radio 2 afternoon slot being axed in 2022. "He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices. Obviously we all wish he had," Laurence said.
"It's like anyone who doesn't look after themselves over an extended period. The normal stuff - diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress - he was a very stoic kind of guy as well so if he had something wrong with him and he had to go to have some treatment or go to the doctors, he wouldn't talk about it."
He went on to tell the MailOnline: "That's just how he was - that probably didn't help really, because he wouldn't have help or take advice necessarily." Laurence continued to explain how Steve didn't agree with the decision to ditch his weekday show almost two years ago, but he had needed a break.
Neighbours voice shock
Neighbours expressed their 'huge shock' at the star's 'very unexpected' death, as they paid tribute to a 'genuinely warm and humble man.' Tony White, 60, who lived in the same Victorian block as Steve for nine-years said his death was a 'huge shock' and 'very unexpected'.
Last photo
Steve met up with his friend Anthony James just four weeks ago in New York, where he posed for a selfie (@AJMusicProds / X)Composer Anthony James shared a snap of Steve alongside a heartfelt tribute , which is believed to be the one of his last photos.. The two pals posed for a comical selfie which was taken in New York just four weeks before Steve's death. A heartbroken Anthony shared: "I can't sleep. I'm thinking of my dear friend Steve. We took this picture 4 weeks ago in New York. We were trying to do, as he put it 'ironic selfies'. He had such a love of Life and radio. .He told me 'AJ the blond hair has to go!' I miss him #RIPSteveWright."
Steve's friend of 40 years Gary Farrow said all Steve needed was "an arm round the shoulder" following the axe of his BBC weekday radio show, but it never came. He said Steve was "devastated" by the loss of his show, as colleague Liz Kershaw recently suggested the broadcaster "dumped him". Gary told the Sun: "Steve lived for that show, he absolutely loved it - and the listeners loved him. My view is that he died from a broken heart."
Tragic final days
Steve's listeners heard the DJ in his beloved BBC Radio 2 slot just two days before his death was announced. During the romantic special, Steve asked his dedicated listeners: "How is everyone? Is everything working?" He signed off his final show with a heartbreaking promise that he was unable to keep. "I'm back for more love songs next Sunday. Ta-ra then," Steve said.
He also recorded another show which is said to be "in the can" but won't be airing. Former Radio 2 colleague Ken Bruce said Steve and his friends were planning to celebrate his MBE with a lunch. "An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio," he explained.
It has also been reported Steve reached out to show bosses in a final chat about his health. "Steve had been talking to Radio 2 bosses just two or three days ago," one BBC star claimed. They continued: "We were aware he was struggling with his health a bit but nothing that seemed this serious. It has come as a huge shock. Nobody can believe it. He was engaging with his colleagues so recently. It doesn't seem at all real," reports the Daily Mail.
Family announcement
Steve's death was announced by his family in a heartbreaking statement 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."
Radio 2 colleagues 'shocked and saddened'
Sara Cox was left visibly shaken as she announced the news live on air. The following day, early morning breakfast host Nicki Chapman was also reduced to tears as she read out listener tributes to Steve. 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."
Vernon Kay paid tribute to Steve on his show, saying he wanted to have a "smile" throughout to remember his late colleague. Yet it all became too much as the BBC orchestra paid a special tribute to Steve by performing his iconic theme tune. Vernon broke down, leaving co-star Jeremy Vine to step in.
Noel Edmonds appeared on This Morning where he praised Steve for being a "marvellous man" and decaled the "end of an era". He said: "He had integrity, he had sincerity, he had this incredible commitment to the people he would never meet. We are unfortunately, I think, coming to the end of that radio era. So please, cherish the Ken Bruces and Tony Blackburns, cherish them because we're coming to the end of an era."
BBC speaks out
Steve had worked on BBC Radio 1 and 2 for decades (Getty Images)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."
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. 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. 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."
Zoe ball's tribute
Zoe Ball has admitted she can't stop thinking about the late DJ, Steve Wright, who died on February 13, aged 69.
The revered Radio 2 star, left his colleagues heartbroken when news of his death was announced via a statement from his family. Zoe, 53, who presents the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, was one of the first to pay tribute to the father-of-her two and has now taken Instagram, revealing Steve is still on her mind.
Sharing a snap of the new Radio 2 studio, which overlooks London's skyline, she wrote: "new studio, what a view @bbcradio2 #morning. Can't stop thinking about Wrighty," followed by a broken heart emoji."
Radio 2 listeners broke down in tears as Steve's Sunday Love Songs returned to air at the weekend, days after the presenter's sudden death. The iconic DJ's friend, Liza Tarbuck, took over hosting the episode in which she encouraged fans to get in touch with memories of the veteran broadcaster.
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