Update on Steve Wright’s death ahead of this Sunday’s big change

Westminster Register Office has published an update on the death of DJ Steve Wright. The show icon died aged 69 in February this year.

The Metropolitan Police previously said Wright’s death in a flat in the Marylebone area of ​​central London “was unexpected but is not being treated as suspicious”. Earlier this month, it was revealed that no inquest would take place. Westminster Coroner’s Court said in a statement: “There will be no need for an inquest into Mr Wright.

“The Coroner has now discontinued this case.” Coroners investigate sudden, violent or unnatural deaths, such as an accident or suicide. They can decide if there are grounds for an inquest into natural death, which can happen in a case of negligence, or if the person was in police custody or in prison at the time of the death.

Steve’s family said in a statement in February: “It is with deep sadness and deep 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, close friends and much-loved colleagues and the millions of devoted radio listeners who have had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing Steve to enter their daily lives as one of the most enduring and popular radio personalities in UK. As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.”

It has now been revealed that Wright’s death has not yet been registered at Westminster Register Office. A spokesman told The Mirror that his death had not yet been registered. According to gov.uk, they recommend registering a death within 5 days, which includes weekends and public holidays.

They say a ‘Certificate of Burial’ will be issued to give to a funeral director or a cremation application which should be completed and given to the crematorium. These must be done before the funeral takes place.

It comes as Michael Ball said he “wants to do the show justice” when he takes over a new BBC Radio 2 Sunday Love Songs program following the death of Steve Wright. The singer and West End Ball star, who currently presents Sundays from 11am to 1pm, will host Love Songs with Michael Ball from 9am to 11am from June.

Wright was the long-time host of the radio station’s Love Songs show and continued to present it even after he stepped down from the weekday afternoon show on Radio 2 in September 2022.

Ball said: “When this opportunity came up, I knew I couldn’t turn it down. I’m so nervous, but of course I’m also incredibly excited. I want to do the show justice because Steve was and still is such an icon. He showed the best of what radio is and the enjoyment it could bring to countless people.

“I loved Steve’s Sunday love songs, I loved listening to them when I woke up on a Sunday morning. It really was an appointment to listen to, so I’m incredibly honored and humbled that they asked me to give it a go. I’ve been at Radio 2 for almost 20 years and I can’t imagine not being at the station as I really enjoy doing my shows and connecting with listeners.”

Ball said he hoped his new show would be “relaxing” and “a Sunday morning radio hug”. He added: “I will gently wake you up with the music selection and guide you through your morning with the most wonderful and wonderful songs.”

While there will be some new features on the show, such as people reading love letters and sharing memories of special days such as a wedding, a proposal, a first date, the birth of a child or a graduation, he assured listeners there. there will be no significant changes.

He said: “Ultimately, we’re not reinventing the show. Steve Wright got it down to perfection, and if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” Paying tribute to his friend and former colleague, he said: “We got on so well and were really good friends. I was lucky that every Sunday he taught me at 11am once he got to the end of Love Songs.

“He was so full of advice and there was no better radio host. He lived and breathed it and burst with creativity. It was really brilliant.” The Ball’s previous Sunday slot, from 11am to 1pm, will now be hosted by Paddy McGuinness, who said: “I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be joining the amazing BBC Radio 2.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with the production team, thinking up great new features, figuring out what music we’re going to play, and of course, how we’re going to engage our brilliant listeners each week. I’m so proud to be joining my fellow Boltonians – Sara Cox, Mark Radcliffe and Vernon Kay – at the station, but the Radio 2 presenting family have all been so welcoming, they really are the nicest bunch of people.

“In addition, I will be presenting my show even further afield in the studios at MediaCity in Salford. It can be better than this!”

Love Songs with Michael Ball (9-11am) and Paddy McGuinness’ new show (11am-1pm) both started on Sunday 2 June on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.