DJ Steve Wright, who presented shows for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades, has died aged 69.

His family confirmed his death “with deep sadness and deep regret” in a statement on Tuesday.

Wright joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to present afternoon programs on Radio 1 and Radio 2.

He also fronted television shows for the BBC, including Top of the Pops.

Wright was on air for the last time on Sunday, hosting a special pre-recorded Valentine’s Day edition of her show Love Songs. She passed away on Monday.

Confirming the presenter’s death in a statement, his family said: “It is with deep sadness 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, as well as his dear friends and close colleagues and millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing “Let Steve enter your daily life as one of the UK’s most enduring and popular radio personalities.”

Paying tribute to Wright on Radio 2 after his death was announced, an emotional Sara Cox said: “It’s really difficult to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright’s passing except that we are all shocked, devastated and surprised by this news.

“Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really kind person, he was witty, warm and a huge, huge part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will be absolutely gutted too.”

Born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954, Wright’s BBC career began when he began working as an administrator. His broadcasting career began in 1976, when Wright left the BBC to join Radio 210 in Reading.

Four years later, he joined BBC Radio 1, presenting weekend shows before launching Steve Wright in the Afternoon in 1981, the show that would ultimately define his career.

After a brief spell presenting the Radio 1 breakfast show for a year from 1994, Wright left to join Talk Radio, but rejoined the BBC in 1996.

He began presenting a Saturday and Sunday show Love Songs on Radio 2 from 1996, before relaunching his afternoon show in 1999, a slot he would maintain until 2022.

The show had its own distinctive zoo format, with contributions from Wright’s on-air “group,” as well as celebrity interviews and entertaining trivia featured in his Factoids segment.

Scott Mills took over the afternoon show during a series of schedule changes at the station in 2022, but Wright remained at Radio 2 and continued to present Sunday Love Songs, as well as a series of specials and podcasts.

Last October, he replaced Paul Gambaccini as host of the station’s staple Saturday afternoon show, Pick Of The Pops.

Wright was honored for his services to radio in the December 2023 New Year’s Honors list and said he wanted to dedicate it “to all the people in broadcasting who provided comfort and public service during the pandemic”.

Radio 2 said it planned to celebrate Wright’s life with a variety of programming across the station.

Presenter Jeremy Vine told BBC News: “It’s been a complete shock for us. The Radio 2 family is in mourning. The thing about Steve is that he was 69 when he died, but he still sounded like he did when he was 30. He was a Incredible professional… a lovely man.

“He was very encouraging to the next generation of presenters like me. He was very generous with his time. He was such an important figure in British radio. That cheerful voice is gone, and there are so many people who will feel his loss.”

Station manager Helen Thomas said: “Steve understood the connection and camaraderie that radio creates better than anyone, and we all loved him for it. He was a consummate professional whose attention to detail was always second to none.”

Jo Whiley, who presented on Radio 1 and Radio 2 during Wright’s respective tenures, said she was “completely devastated” to hear of his death.

“He was a class act,” he wrote on Instagram. “An absolute perfectionist when it came to radio. No one cared more about the quality of what came out of the speakers than Wrighty. But he was also extraordinarily kind and big-hearted.

“We saw a lot of each other doing our shows during the pandemic and I loved the banter we had. He was a big fan of new music and loved gossip. When I joined Radio 2, he took the time to get into the studio and never there was nothing less than encouraging and supportive over the years.”

Former Radio 2 drive time presenter Simon Mayo said It was “bad news” and he described Wright as “one of the greats.”

“We were planning a lunch to celebrate the award of his well-deserved MBE,” Bruce said. “An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio.”

The current presenter of the station’s breakfast show. Zoe Ball said something to Wright “our radio friend, our inspiration, broadcasting maestro, the Godfather, always there for all of us with support, advice, love and most importantly, laughter.”

“Rest well, wonderful magical man,” he added. “Life won’t be the same without you here.”

Dame Esther Rantzen, who was interviewed by Steve Wright on many occasions, said he was a unique broadcaster.

“It created a kind of club that, whether you were interviewing or enjoying it as a listener, you looked forward to joining every day,” he told the PA news agency.

“It’s a very rare quality, and he made it look easy. He was often very funny, and when he left his daily afternoon show it really put a hole in the day for many of us who relied on his company.”

AND Radio 2 presenter Rylan Clark posted: “I am so sad and in complete shock to have lost this wonderful man. Steve was always so amazing when I started at Radio 2 and always went out of his way to make me feel welcome.

“We will miss him very much, no one more than [my mum] “Linda, who always reminded me that he was, is and always will be her favorite.”

BBC director general Tim Davie said: “All of us at the BBC are heartbroken to hear this terribly sad news. Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a big part of many of our lives for many decades.

“He was a great professional: passionate about the art of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners. This was deservedly recognized in the New Year Honors list with his MBE for services to radio.

“No one had more energy to put on shows that made audiences smile. He was deeply loved. We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him dearly.”

When Wright said goodbye after 23 years on his popular show in 2022, he introduced listeners to Queen’s Radio Ga Ga.

In parting, he told listeners: “We have tried in this program to provide a bit of light relief, a good genuine atmosphere, uplifting tunes, good conversation, a bit of satire.

“We tried to make the show unique and make it good company. I just hope we did that a few times.”

He added: “Above all, I want to thank you, for your appreciation, our most dear listener, overwhelming and loyal. For all the reaction, the nice words, thank you if you have ever seen your way to listen.” to us for 23 years at any time, thank you, thank you and thank you again.