BBC Strictly's Amanda Abbington says 'I'll be forever grateful' in heartfelt Steve Wright tribute amid Pernice row

BBC Strictly's Amanda Abbington says 'I'll be forever grateful' in heartfelt Steve Wright tribute amid Pernice row

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GB NEWS
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 14/02/2024

- 10:13

BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright died at the age of 69 on Tuesday

Following the tragic news of Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright's death, Amanda Abbington has joined a long list of famous faces who've since paid tribute to the iconic presenter.

Abbington, who's been relatively quiet in the public sphere since reports of a feud with her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice emerged, decided to take to social media to share her condolences.


Wright's death was confirmed by his family on Tuesday afternoon who said in a statement: "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."

Abbington echoed Wright's family's kind words about the DJ as she penned on her Instagram stories just what he meant to her.

Steve WrightSteve Wright's family announced his death on Tuesday

GETTY

Reposting a tribute from the BBC Radio 2 Instagram page, Abbington wrote alongside it: "He was such a wonderful champion of my work and I'll be forever grateful to him for his love and friendship.

"He was always so supportive and happy and funny. I'll miss you dear Steve.

"You were and always will be, wonderful," Abbington signed off.

The former Sherlock actor wasn't the only colleague, fan or friend to Wright to pay tribute to the veteran broadcaster after his death was confirmed.

Amanda Abbington's Steve Wright tribute

Amanda Abbington's Steve Wright tribute was shared on Instagram

INSTAGRAM/AMANDA ABBINGTON

His colleague Sara Cox was tasked with fronting her own Radio 2 soon on the same afternoon as his death and told listeners: "It's really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright's passing, except we are all shocked and devastated and blindsided by this news.

"Steve was an extraordinary broadcaster, a really kind person, he was witty, he was warm, and he was a huge, huge part of the Radio 2 family, and I know my fellow DJs will all be absolutely shattered too."

Her fellow Radio 2 employee Bobbie Pryor, who delivers the travel reports regularly during Cox's show, even had to halt her report as she was left in tears by the news.

Former BBC Radio star Ken Bruce added to the tributes on X, penning: "Totally shocked to hear the news about the great Steve Wright.

Amanda Abbington

Amanda Abbington has paid tribute to BBC DJ Steve Wright

SHUTTERSTOCK/BBC

"We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE. An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio."

And Jeremy Vine opened up to BBC News: "It's come as a complete shock to us. The Radio 2 family are in mourning.

"The thing about Steve is that he was 69 when he died, but he still sounded like he did when he was 30. He was such an incredible professional... a lovely man.

"He was so encouraging to the next generation of presenters like me. He was so generous with his time. He was such a huge figure in British radio. That cheerful voice is gone, and there are so many people who will feel his loss."

A cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

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