Zoe Ball has admitted that she “can’t stop thinking” about her BBC Radio 2 colleague DJ Steve Wright, who passed away last Monday at the age of 69.
The veteran broadcaster’s death sparked a huge outpouring of tributes from shocked fans and colleagues, who hailed Wright as “one of the greatest exponents of the art of radio”.
The Radio 2 Breakfast Show host, 53, who was among the first to honour Wright’s memory, took to her Instagram Story on Monday and said the late broadcaster remains very much on her mind.
Sharing a photo of the new Radio 2 studio overlooking London's skyline, Ball wrote: "new studio, what a view @bbcradio2 #morning.
“Can't stop thinking about Wrighty," alongside a broken heart emoji.
Wright’s death was unexpected with the radio personality set to receive an MBE for services to radio, while his name was attached to a television show. His final Radio 2 show is reportedly recorded but will not be broadcast.
Wright was reportedly found dead at his flat in London last Monday morning (February 12). Police have confirmed Wright’s death is being treated as “unexpected”, but not suspicious.
According to a MailOnline report, Wright’s death seemed “very, very sudden” to his colleagues as the DJ had been working and talking to bosses just days before he died.
Shortly after his death, a BBC star told MailOnline: "Steve had been talking to Radio 2 bosses just two or three days ago…we were aware he was struggling with his health a bit but nothing that seemed this serious."
However, Wright’s friend Mark Wells has now told the Behind The Scenes with Colin Edmonds podcast that Wright “had been more ill than he had been letting on” after undergoing heart surgery in 2022.
“Steve told me he had a heart operation about 14 or 15 months ago after he finished Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2,” said Wells.
Wright’s career-defining show attracted millions of listeners and ran for more than two decades on Radio 2, until 2022 when he was replaced by Scott Mills.
“He had a bypass operation which had gone well but I think he had been more ill than he had been letting on to that point.” Wells added.
“The recovery from that had gone pretty well though obviously the events of the last couple of days would suggest that's what in the end came for him.”
Wells, who formerly worked as Controller of Entertainment at ITV Productions Ltd, and became friends with Wright in the 90s, continued: “He was always exceptionally preoccupied with his health. He never was healthy.
“He never ate properly. Every meal I had with him was an unhealthy one. He didn't drink much but he certainly used to smoke cigars.
“And we would often walk around the block smoking cigars back in the day. I think in time that took its toll.”
Wright's last Radio 2 gig - a pre-recorded Valentine’s Day special - aired on BBC Radio 2 last Sunday (February 11).
