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Steve Wright ‘didn’t have medical issues but never recovered from axing'

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Pal reveals that tragic star was painfully shy and needed support
Pal reveals that tragic star was painfully shy and needed support

STEVE Wright's friend has claimed the star "didn't have any medical problems" after cops gave an update on the cause of his death.

The veteran radio presenter passed away at the age of 69 and was found dead at his London flat on Monday.

Steve had been deeply affected by his treatment by the BBC qhiqquiqzuidedprw
Steve had been deeply affected by his treatment by the BBCCredit: BBC/UNPIXS
Broadcasting legend Steve has been described as the last 'of the old guard'
Broadcasting legend Steve has been described as the last 'of the old guard'Credit: Rex Features
Steve was last pictured with pal Anthony James in New York four weeks ago
Steve was last pictured with pal Anthony James in New York four weeks ago

Police and paramedics scrambled to a flat in the Marylebone area of central London on Monday morning.

But cops said that Steve's death was "not being treated as suspicious" after he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Celebrity publicist Gary Farrow revealed his friend of 40 years was "devastated" to lose his massively popular Radio 2 slot two years ago.

R&B star Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters dies aged 74R&B star Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters dies aged 74

And Gary added that his pal had no real medical problems to speak of.

He exclusively told The Sun: "From what I know, he didn’t have any real medical problems - he was always taking ­vitamins and popping pills.

"Sure, he didn't really eat broccoli and he liked McDonald's, but he was such a character, the likes of which I don’t think we will see again."

Gary blasted BBC bosses who deemed Steve "too old", saying there was no one more "current".

He told how his "painfully shy" friend "needed an arm round the shoulder" from his bosses — but it never came.

Gary continued: "He would spend hours and hours researching before a show, checking out guests and doing his homework. Radio was his life.

"He was Mr Showbiz. He was the first to discuss and champion new books, films, records and TV shows, and so progressive in that respect.

"So quite how the BBC could decide he was 'too old' or not ­current enough is a joke.

"There was no one more current or on the pulse than Steve. There was no one more relevant."

It was also claimed that he "died of a broken heart" after being dumped by the BBC.

Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fightCeltic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight

Steve’s departure from his show after 24 years led to Radio Two shedding a million listeners.

Gary said he never got over being axed from his Radio 2 afternoon show after 24 years.

He just wanted someone at the BBC to put an arm around him

Gary Farrow on Steve Wright

Gary added that the broadcasting giant was the last “of the old guard” and radio is “all the poorer for it”.

His pal also said: “Everybody loved him on and off air, although he was actually painfully shy, and never wanted to attend these big dos that bosses wanted to wheel him out at.

“But he just wanted someone at the BBC to put an arm around him every now and then, and say ‘You’re doing a great job, Steve. We all love you’.

“But I don’t think anybody ever did - that’s all he wanted.

“I’ll never understand the decision to let him go. It devastated him.”

Earlier this week, there was a backlash against the BBC boss responsible for the scheduling shake-up.

Listeners and BBC staff were left enraged at a “gushing” tribute from station boss Helen Thomas, who got rid of Steve and his popular colleagues Paul O’Grady and Ken Bruce.

In a tribute Helen Thomas called Steve "second to none" — less than 18 months after taking away his hugely popular show in 2022.

Steve continued to present Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2.

He signed off the day before his death with the poignant final words: “I’m back for more Love Songs next Sunday . . . ta-da then.”

After the tragic news broke, ­tributes flooded in for the radio colossus, while anger mounted against the corporation.

Fellow broadcaster Liz Kershaw told GB News yesterday: “It’s shabby, it’s hypocritical. They just dumped him.

“New management said we’re going to refresh the schedule - and they treat people like tins of beans on a shelf. I doubt that there was any follow-up, or any pastoral care, or any support for him.

“He didn’t need money as he has been one of the highest-paid people on air. But, you know, I wonder if they considered how it affected him.

"There are some people for whom fame and attention are their oxygen. And he was one of those. It was absolutely his life."

Friend Anthony James shared what is believed to be the last picture of Wright - a selfie the pair took together.

James said: "I'm thinking of my dear friend Steve. We took this picture 4 weeks ago in New York.

"We were trying to do, as he put it, 'ironic selfies'. He had such a love of life and radio. I miss him."

Steve was well known for presenting Steve Wright in the Afternoon and fronted Top of the Pops.

In a statement on Tuesday, Wright's family said: "It is with deep sorrow 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.

"Also, much-loved close friends and colleagues, and millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing Steve into their daily lives as one of the UK's most enduring and popular radio personalities.

"As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time."

Chris Evans, who was also a stalwart on Radio 1 and 2 for many years before joining Virgin Radio, said Wright was to afternoons as Sir Terry Wogan was to breakfast.

Wake Up To Wogan on Radio 2 ran from 1993 to 2009 and was the most listened-to radio show in the UK.

Evans wrote on Instagram: "Oh my goodness. What terribly sad news.

"It goes without saying that Steve was the soundtrack to millions of our afternoons for decades."

Radio presenter Steve Wright passed away leaving fans devastated
Radio presenter Steve Wright passed away leaving fans devastatedCredit: BBC
His death was announced on Tuesday
His death was announced on TuesdayCredit: BBC
Pals said that Steve 'died of a broken heart' after being dumped by the BBC
Pals said that Steve 'died of a broken heart' after being dumped by the BBCCredit: Getty

Ethan Singh

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