When Wright announced to his listeners in 2022 that he was stepping down, he said that the head of Radio 2 had informed him that she wanted to try something different in the afternoons.
He said: “I’ve been doing this programme for 24 years, so how can I possibly complain? I can’t hog the slot forever.”
Helen Thomas, the head of Radio 2, who informed Wright in 2022 that he would be leaving his afternoon show, 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.
“He believed in the BBC passionately during his career which spanned 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.
“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.”
