BBC Steve Wright's inquest 'not required' as coroner claims sudden death will not be probed further

BBC Steve Wright's inquest 'not required' as coroner claims sudden death will not be probed further

'Makes me feel sick!' BBC blasted for just 'dumping' Steve Wright

Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 21/05/2024

- 11:21

The legendary radio host died on February 12 after emergency services were called to the stars home in Marylebone

Steve Wright's death will not be probed further as an inquest was ruled to no longer be required after he was found dead in his £2million home - months after a BBC reshuffle.

At the time of his death, his family released a statement which read: "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."

Due to the nature of where Wright was found, it was initially reported that an inquest would take place to determine whether his death should be treated as suspicious.

In a recent update, a coroners court ruled out a probe into the unexpected death of the radio legend, with a statement in Westminster coroner's court reading: "An inquest will not be required for Mr Wright.

"The coroner has now discontinued this case."

Steve Wright

Steve was part of the BBC from 1980

GETTY

BBC News has reported that the Metropolitan Police had said that Wright's death was "unexpected, but is not being treated as suspicious."

In February, Emergency services rushed to the star's home in Marylebone, central London, just after 10am on February 12, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A London ambulance spokesperson told the Mail Online: "We were called at 10.07am on Monday 12 February to reports of an incident. We sent a number of resources to the scene. Very sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene."

Wright joined BBC Radio 1 back in 1980 and hosted a Saturday evening show before moving on to host Steve Wright In The Afternoon, where he stayed for 13 years.

Steve Wright

Many were left devastated with the news of his death

GETTY

He went on to front the Radio 1 Breakfast Show for a year until 1995, and completed a stint at commercial radio stations before returning to BBC Radio 2 in 1996 to host Steve Wright's Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs.

The host went back to Steve Wright In The Afternoon every weekday on Radio 2 in 1999, and bagged himself celebrity interviews before stepping down in September 2022 - he continued to present Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2.

Wright then lost the slot when the BBC decided to shake up their schedule, with Scott Mills taking over the afternoon slot.

After the star's death, his friend Mark Wells discussed Wright's health on the Behind The Scenes with Colin Edmonds podcast and said: "Steve told me he had a heart operation about 14 or 15 months ago after he finished Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2.

Steve Wright

Steve Wright died on February 12 2024

BBC

"He had a bypass operation which had gone well but I think he had been more ill than he had been letting on to that point.

"The recovery from that had gone pretty well though obviously the events of the last couple of days would suggest that's what in the end came for him."

The DJ's younger brother Laurence Wright, 65, said that his unhealthy lifestyle including his penchant for always eating out, combined with his reluctance to talk about his own "health issues", contributed to his death.

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