THE BBC has confirmed who will take over one of its top shows following the death of iconic DJ Steve Wright.
BBC legend Steve tragically died aged 69 in February after bringing joy to listeners for more than 40 years.
Now it has been confirmed Wright’s much-loved show Pick of the Pops will continue, with veteran broadcaster Mark Goodier taking over from July each Saturday lunchtime.
Mark will continue to count down two charts from two different weeks from the past seven decades.
Speaking about his new gig, Mark said: “It’s an honour to host the iconic Pick of the Pops, although I wish it were in happier circumstances as I was friends with Steve for almost 40 years.
“I can’t wait to reminisce with Radio 2 listeners as we revisit two years in their lives, playing some of the best records ever made.”
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Mark began his broadcasting career as a mobile DJ in Edinburgh in the late 1970s, kicking off his illustrious radio career shortly after at his local station Radio Forth.
Mark has since worked extensively across the BBC and commercial radio, presenting the celebrated UK Top 40 on BBC Radio 1 from 1990–1992 and 1995-2002.
On Radio 2, Mark has presented various programmes and specials from 2001, including deputising on The Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
Radio 2 moves
Steve took over Pick of the Pops from Paul Gambaccani last year.
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He was replaced on his weekday show in 2022 after 23 years by Scott Mills.
Speaking about the shock move, the DJ said at the time: “Sometimes people want you, sometimes they don’t.
“Sometimes there are changes and they give you another offer – and that’s OK. I understand that, I really understand that.”
Steve joined the BBC in the 1970s and spent four decades hosting his beloved afternoon shows.
He also fronted TV programmes for the broadcaster, including Top of the Pops.
Meanwhile Michael Ball is to present a new Sunday Love Songs show on BBC Radio 2.
Steve was the long-time host of the Love Songs show on the radio station and continued to present it even after he stepped down from his weekday afternoon show on Radio 2 in September 2022.
Tragic death
His family announced his death earlier this year, with a statement that 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.
From bullied schoolboy to BBC legend
By Jane Matthews
STEVE Wright went from being a bullied schoolboy cruelly dubbed ‘Big Nose’ to a BBC radio legend.
Wright was born in Greenwich, London and attended Eastwood High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
It was there that he was cruelly nicknamed Big Nose and Concorde.
His first job after leaving school was in marine insurance but after three years he realised it wasn’t for him.
It was then that Wright left to become a local newspaper reporter.
This led him to BBC, as a record librarian, which then went on to his own shows – and the rest was history.
But in 2022 he announced he was stepping back from his Afternoon show after more than two decades.
He said at the time: “Before we start the show proper, if I may, I’d just like to say thank you ever so much for all the messages that have come in, over the weekend after I announced on Friday on the afternoon that we are leaving the afternoon show.”
The axing saw him take another step towards his Sunday Love Songs show – which he last appeared on just days before his death.
“As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time.”
It later emerged that Steve Wright had been struggling with his health although his death was still a “huge, huge shock to colleagues”.
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It is not currently clear what the radio legend’s health battle was.
He was also due to be part of BBC Radio’s plans to launch four new stations over the airwaves.
