Radio 2 listeners break down in tears as Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs returns following the legendary DJ’s ‘sudden death’ aged 69

Radio 2 listeners burst into tears when Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs returned to air just days after the presenter’s sudden death.

Steve, one of Britain’s best-known voices on air, died suddenly on Tuesday, February 13, aged 69.

Legendary DJ’s girlfriend Liza Tarbuck took over hosting the episode where she encouraged fans to get in touch with memories of Steve.

She said: ‘Good morning, we’re live at Wogan House.

‘This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs without the chef… without our genius friend.

Veteran broadcaster Steve, one of Britain’s best-known on-air voices, died suddenly at the age of 69 on Tuesday, February 13 (pictured 1980)

Legendary DJ’s girlfriend Liza Tarbuck took over hosting the episode where she encouraged fans to get in touch with memories of Steve

“So while you get a tissue, I think it would be nice if you light a candle for him.” I won’t apologize if I get upset over the next two hours, and neither should you.”

Fans got emotional listening to the tribute, with one penny on

Another wrote: ‘Listen to the Steve Wright tribute and I’m out’

Steve’s friend of 40 years, publicist Gary Farrow, said he believes Steve ‘died of a broken heart’ after being ‘devastated’ when he lost his popular Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: Steve lives for the show, he absolutely loved it – and the listeners loved him. My opinion is that he died of a broken heart.’

It comes after Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas sparked outrage behind the scenes at the station for issuing a statement paying tribute to Steve less than 18 months after he quit his show.

BBC staff are said to be ‘furious’ with her for describing the late legendary DJ as ‘second to none’ despite moving his 2pm to 5pm slot, which he held for 24 years, to Sunday mornings where he held Sunday Love Songs presented.

She said: ‘This is Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs without the chef… without our genius friend.’

Fans got emotional listening to the tribute, with one penny on

Sources at the station insisted that Ms. Thomas “should have just kept her mouth shut” and that her statement was “shameless” and “tone deaf” after she replaced Wright with Scott Mills.

Shortly after Steve’s sudden death was announced in a statement by his family yesterday afternoon, Ms Thomas said the radio veteran understood the connection and companionship that radio provided better than anyone “and we all loved him for it.”

She added: ‘He was a consummate professional whose attention to detail was always second to none, and he made his guests laugh, he was honest, and he wanted to present them and their work in the best possible light and bring brilliant stories to our bring guests. listeners.

‘Steve was the first presenter I ever produced, over twenty years ago, and I remember the sheer amazement I felt as I sat opposite this legendary broadcaster, whose shows I had listened to and admired growing up in Hull.’

But workers at BBC headquarters were furious, with one telling MailOnline: ‘It’s unbelievable that Helen has just said this, she must have forgotten she moved him from a job he had held for 24 years.

‘It was absolutely disgraceful. She was also behind the getting rid of Ken Bruce and Paul O’Grady. Things really would have gone better if she hadn’t said anything at all.’

It comes after Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas sparked outrage behind the scenes at the station for issuing a statement paying tribute to Steve less than 18 months after he quit his show (pictured by BBC R2 boss Helen Thomas)

Their views were echoed by hundreds of listeners who took to social media to share their dismay at Ms Thomas’ removal from the afternoon slot.

Someone wrote on X: ‘Ironic to hear all these tributes to the late, great Steve Wright.

‘It’s a shame R2 controller Helen Thomas didn’t show him the same respect when she deprived him of his fantastic afternoon show.

While another said: ‘I wonder what Helen Thomas thinks about the number and scale of people posting about Steve Wright? She really didn’t understand how big the man was.’