Liz Kershaw has blasted the BBC for its ‘shabby’ treatment of Steve Wright prior to his death yesterday, claiming bosses cruelly ‘dumped’ him and treat stars like ‘tins of beans on a shelf’.
The veteran radio presenter said it made her ‘feel sick’ to see the broadcaster pay tribute to the legendary DJ after a schedule shake-up last year saw Scott Mills take over his long-held Radio 2 afternoon slot.
‘It’s shabby, it’s hypocritical. They just dumped him,’ the former BBC presenter told GB News this morning.
‘New management said we’re going to refresh the schedule – and they treat people like tins of beans on a shelf.
‘I doubt that there was any follow-up, or any pastoral care, or any support for him. He didn’t need money as he has been one of the highest paid people on air.
‘But, you know, I wonder if they considered how it affected him. There are some people for whom fame and attention are their oxygen. And he was one of those; it was absolutely his life.’
Veteran radio presenter Liz Kershaw has blasted the BBC’s ‘shabby’ treatment of legendary DJ Steve Wright
Steve Wright, who has died at the age of 69, pictured in his recording studio in 1994
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
Wright continued to present Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 and since October last year he presented the long-running show Pick Of The Pops, which had previously been fronted by Paul Gambaccini.
His family made the shock announcement yesterday that he had died, aged 69, with BBC director general Tim Davie leading the tributes declaring the BBC was heartbroken to hear of his death.
‘Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades,’ he said.
‘He was the ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners. This was deservedly recognised in the New Year Honours list with his MBE for services to radio.
‘No-one had more energy to deliver shows that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They loved him deeply. We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him terribly.’
But a visibly angered Ms Kershaw says the BBC should apologise for the way Wright was treated.
‘Steve was so focused and driven and it’s their life, that is who they are, and to take it away from somebody and then come back months later and say, “We will miss Steve, he was such a professional, he was brilliant, he was the best”.
‘I just don’t know how they can say that. And also are they going to apologise to the public?
‘Because since his last show and I know there have been other changes Radio Two has lost 1.2 million listeners. This is 8 per cent of its audience.
Wright seen in a recent photo from when he was out walking in central London
BBC director general Tim Davie led the tributes to Wright declaring the BBC was heartbroken to hear of his death
The legendary broadcaster presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon for 12 years on Radio 1 and a further 23 years on Radio 2. He is pictured in 1980
Wright being surprised in his studio by Paul McCartney. Also pictured is his production assistant Dianne Oxberry
The DJ with George Michael in an undated photo taken within a BBC studio
Tributes poured in from the world of radio as they shared touching stories about Wright
‘So people know what they like, nobody’s got a job for life. Things have to change. But I think there are serious questions to be answered.
‘I would only imagine that it was a shock, a real shock to find he didn’t have something to do and was no longer going to be working five days a week and thrilling the nation every day.’
Wright was a long-standing presenter of Top Of The Pops on BBC One and presented the popular Sunday Love Songs weekend mid-morning show on Radio 2.
His last show was a pre-recorded Valentine’s Day edition of the programme three days ago. Wright told listeners in his final sign-off: ‘I’ll be back for more love songs next Sunday, ta-da then.’
He was due to make a comeback to BBC Radio 2 as part of a line-up for a ‘pop nostalgia’ spin-off station before his death.
Bosses unveiled plans last week to introduce four new radio stations in an attempt to claw back alienated listeners to the BBC, including a new Radio 2 spin-off focusing on the music of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
The station would’ve been the new home of the legendary DJ’s Sunday Love Songs show, which he had been presenting on the channel since 1996, prior to his ‘very sudden’ death earlier this week.
A statement shared by Wright’s family yesterday announcing his death said: ‘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.’