Steve Wright remembered with BBC programmes on TV and Radio

While a special commission celebrating Steve Wright’s BBC career will be aired later this year the corporation from tonight and across the weekend reflect on the work of Wright who died suddenly on Monday.

“We’ve been remembering Steve on air all week together with our presenters and listeners, and we’ll continue to celebrate his decades with the BBC this weekend. On BBC Four, audiences can catch his first ever Top of the Pops from 1980, on BBC Sounds there’s a special collection and this weekend’s Pick of the Pops and Sunday Love Songs will be dedicated to Steve, presented by Gary Davies and Liza Tarbuck.” – A BBC spokesperson

Over 40 years of broadcasting the 69-year-old host saw him DJ on stations BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 as well as hosting several series for television, including his own prime-time Saturday night BBC One series in the 1990s. Steve was dropped from weekday BBC Radio 2, amid much unhappiness from listeners, in 2022.

However, Wright continued to host his Sunday Love Songs format, seasonal specials and regular Serious Jockin’ output for BBC Sounds and Radio 2. In more recent times he’s also hosted retro chart countdown Pick of the Pops.

BBC Steve Wright Celebration

Top of the Pops – BBC Four, Friday 16 February; BBC Four will mark Steve Wright’s time hosting Top of the Pops with four episodes from the BBC archive, including his first and last shows from 1980 and 1989.

TOTP: 1980 – 7pm

Steve Wright presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 February 1980 and featuring The Tourists, Cliff Richard, The Chords, The Regents, Queen, The Selecter, AC/DC, The Buggles, The Specials and Legs & Co.

TOTP: 1984 – 7.30pm

Steve Wright and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 December 1984 and featuring Black Lace, Wham!, Paul Young, Kool & the Gang, Madonna, Tears for Fears and Band Aid.

TOTP: 1986 – 8pm

Steve Wright and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 February 1986 and featuring Belouis Some, Whitney Houston, Su Pollard, Shakin’ Stevens and Billy Ocean.

TOTP: 1989 – 8.30pm

Steve Wright and Jackie Brambles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 October 1989 and featuring Curiosity Killed the Cat, Sonia, Black Box, Cher, Billy Joel, Belinda Carlisle, Living in a Box, Milli Vanilli and Bros

Pick of the Pops – Radio 2, Saturday 17 February

Gary Davies will present this Saturday’s Pick of the Pops, dedicated to Steve Wright. Listeners will hear Gary turning the clock back to 1980, the year when Steve joined BBC Radio 1, and 1996, when he joined BBC Radio 2.

Sunday Love Songs – Radio 2, Sunday 18 February

Liza Tarbuck will present a special episode of Sunday Love Songs, paying tribute to Steve Wright and with dedications from his listeners.

Also BBC Sounds: Radio 2 Remembers Steve Wright: is a collection of programmes featuring Steve Wright is available to listeners on BBC Sounds, including his Peter Kay Christmas special and numerous episodes of Tell It To Steve.