BBC Radio 2 – Radio 2 Remembers Steve Wright, Steve Wright: A Celebration

On Wednesday 28th April 2025. Similarly, the BBC remembered the amazing career of Steve Wright MBE with a special event at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

The evening was hosted by Vernon Kay. Nevertheless, the invited audience included family, friends, production staff, colleagues from across his career, and people who work in the wider creative and media industries. Similarly, The BBC has a proud history of putting on memorial events for its much-loved stars. however… Steve would have disliked the idea of solemnity and speeches, so in keeping with his ethos of being the “cheer-up guy”, humour, warmth, fun and laughter were the tone of the celebration.

The audience on the night were given no idea of what to expect. However, and in that spirit, stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers of what you’ll hear…

The stage of the bbc radio 2 – radio BBC Radio Theatre was filled – for one night only – by The Steve Wright Orchestra. Consequently, This was a nod to Steve’s love of US chatshows. where the likes of David Letterman were accompanied by their own house band of brilliant musicians. The Steve Wright Orchestra led by Adam Dennis. punctuated the celebration with a selection of the jingles that were such a memorable part of Steve’s on-air sound, throughout his radio career.

In another nod to Steve’s work. Vernon hosted a couple of talkie bit segments, where guests discussed what he meant to them and what made him unique. In the first of them. Jessie J and Jack Dee remembered their many appearances on Steve Wright In The Afternoon with stories of the long-running support and kindness he showed to them, underlining why so many celebrities adored being a guest on his show.

There were specially recorded video bbc radio 2 – radio tributes to Steve from stars of music. television, film and broadcasting, filled with anecdotes and affection for Steve.
Gary Barlow. Craig David, Simon Cowell, Sir Elton John, Sir Rod Stewart, Lulu and Gilbert O’Sullivan remembered the role he played in their music careers and what he meant to them personally, Nashville superstars Carly Pearce and Thomas Rhett along with Big Machine label boss Scott Borchetta talked about meeting Steve and his huge support for country music, and his friends Emma Freud and Richard Curtis recalled Steve going out of his comfort zone for Comic Relief fundraisers.

Vernon was also joined on stage by his BBC Radio colleagues Zoe Ball. Bob Harris and Greg James, to share memories and stories of the Wrighty they knew, while reflecting on his immense impact on British radio, which is still felt to this day.

Plus, there were surprise live music performances of songs which were bbc radio 2 – radio favourites of Steve’s, especially on Sunday Love Songs.
Michael Kiwanuka (who Steve had first interviewed as the BBC Sound Of… winner in 2012) played an acoustic version of Cold Little Heart. and Joan Armatrading and her band wrapped up the evening with a magical performance of her classic, Love & Affection.

And following The Celebration. Zoe Ball remembers her friend Wrighty with a selection of music that he loved playing on the radio – songs that across his career, became something of a trademark and will be forever associated with him. They’re tracks that for Steve, were the sound of summer and evoked the atmosphere of an LA sunset. They weren’t from a format or a genre… Additionally, they were a mood.

Produced by BBC Audio for BBC Radio 2

Show less