No inquest to be held into death of BBC DJ Steve Wright
There will be no inquest held into the death of BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright, a coroner’s court has said.
The veteran DJ died at the age of 69 in February.
Westminster Coroner’s Court said in a statement: “An inquest will not be required for Mr Wright.
“The coroner has now discontinued this case.”
‘Not suspicious’
Wright joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host the afternoon shows on Radio 1 and Radio 2.
Coroners investigate sudden, violent or unnatural deaths such as an accident or suicide and can also decide whether there are grounds to hold an inquest for a natural death.
The Metropolitan Police previously said Wright’s death at a flat Marylebone, central London, “was unexpected, but is not being treated as suspicious”.
Born in Greenwich, south London, in 1954, Wright’s career at the BBC began when he started working as a clerk. His broadcasting career was launched in 1976, when Wright left the BBC to join Radio 210 in Reading.
Four years later, he joined BBC Radio 1, presenting weekend programmes before launching Steve Wright in the Afternoon in 1981 – the show that would ultimately define his career.
After a brief stint hosting 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 programme and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 from 1996, before relaunching his afternoon show in 1999, a slot he would keep until 2022.
The show had its own distinctive zoo format, featuring contributions from Wright’s on-air “posse”, as well as celebrity interviews and entertaining trivia featured in his Factoids segment.
Radio 2 presenter Steve Wright dies aged 69
Steve Wright: Radio giant and feel-good friend to millions
DJs pay emotional tributes to ‘radio legend’
Steve Wright’s Love Songs airs ‘without the chief’
Steve Wright’s Love Songs to continue with new host
Mark Goodier to host Radio 2’s Pick Of The Pops
Scott Mills took over the afternoon programme during a string of schedule changes at the station in 2022, but Wright stayed with Radio 2, continuing to present Sunday Love Songs as well as a series of specials and podcasts.
Michael Ball will replace Wright on the popular requests show from June, while broadcaster Mark Goodier will host BBC Radio 2’s long-running Pick Of The Pops show, which Wright also presented.
Goodier, who was friends with Wright, said he was “honoured” to be taking over, “although I wish it were in happier circumstances”.
He will start in July, with Gary Davies hosting the show until then.
