Mark Goodier to replace Steve Wright on Radio 2's Pick Of The Pops (2024)

Broadcaster Mark Goodier is to host BBC Radio 2's long-running Pick Of The Pops show, following the death of DJ Steve Wright earlier this year.

Goodier, who was friends with Wright, said he was "honoured" to be taking over, "although I wish it were in happier circ*mstances".

He will start in July, with Gary Davies holding the fort until then.

Radio 2 previously announced that Michael Ball would replace Wright on the popular Sunday Love Songs show.

Wright presented his final Radio 2 show on 11 February. The unexpected news of his death came from the broadcaster's family, just two days later.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed the presenter had been found dead at home, adding that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Wright was a radio innovator, who has been credited with helping "to redefine the role of a disc jockey" after introducing his lively, Zoo-format shows to Radio 1 in the 1980s.

He went on to front the Radio 1 Breakfast Show from 1994 to 1995, and enjoyed a stint in commercial radio, before joining BBC Radio 2 in 1996 to host Steve Wright's Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs.

In 1999, he also revived his weekday "Steve Wright in the Afternoon" show, featuring celebrity interviews, show business news and "factoids" trivia.

He took over Pick Of The Pops last year, after time was called on his daily show.

The chart-based show was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1955, and subsequently transferred to Radio 1 before finding its current home on Radio 2.

The original presenter was Franklin Engelmann, who played "a selection from the top shelf of current popular gramophone records".

A few weeks later, Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock topped the charts - becoming the first number one of the rock era, and kick-starting the transformation of the singles chart.

The chart rundown quickly became an essential part of the programme, and the arrival of Australian DJ Alan "Fluff" Freeman in 1961 made the programme even more popular.

Freeman's rapid-fire delivery and grab bag of catchphrases allowed the BBC to hold its own against the competition of pirate radio; and Pick Of The Pops moved from the Light Programme to become a simultaneous broadcast on Radio 1 and 2 when they launched in 1967.

The theme tune - At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal - was rearranged by Barbara Moore in 1970 and is still in use today.

However, the format of the programme has changed, featuring classic charts from the past rather than the latest countdown.

Freeman handed over to Dale Winton in 2000 on his retirement. The programme has since been presented by Tony Blackburn and Paul Gambaccini.

In a statement, Goodier said: "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."

Mark Goodier to replace Steve Wright on Radio 2's Pick Of The Pops (2024)

FAQs

Who is replacing Mark Goodier? ›

Mark has most recently been on Greatest Hits Radio but was replaced by Ken Bruce on the mid-morning show when Ken moved from Radio 2 just over a year ago.

What happened to Mark Goodier? ›

One morning in October 2016, Mark suddenly collapsed on to the bed. He couldn't speak or swallow and his face had fallen on one side. His wife, Jacqueline and their daughter Grace immediately recognised the signs of stroke and called for an ambulance straight away.

Who will present Pick of the Pops on Radio 2? ›

Mark Goodier, one of UK radio's most familiar voices, is to return to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds as the new host of Pick of the Pops, following the passing of Steve Wright, who previously presented the show.

Who is the new presenter of Pick of the Pops 2024? ›

Mark Goodier (from July 2024)

Davies' featured years were between 1968 and 2003. It was announced on 15 April 2024, that Mark Goodier will be taking over from Wright on a permanent basis from 6 July 2024, this is following his decision to leave Greatest Hits Radio.

Who will take over Pick of the Pops after Steve Wright? ›

Mark Goodier is to return to BBC Radio 2 as the new host of Pick Of The Pops, following the death of Steve Wright earlier this year, it has been announced.

Who is taking over Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2? ›

Michael Ball is to take over BBC Radio 2's Love Songs show on Sundays 9am – 11am following the passing of Steve Wright. Michael, who has been at Radio 2 since 2005, has hosted his 11am – 1pm Sunday show since 2016.

Who replaced Steve Wright on Sunday Love Songs? ›

The BBC has now confirmed that Michael Ball will take over the slot from June with Love Songs with Michael Ball, set to broadcast on Sundays between 9am and 11am.

What show is Mark Goodier going to? ›

On 15 April 2024, it was announced that Goodier will return to Radio 2 to host POTP permanently from 6 July, following the passing of Steve Wright. In addition, he is a voiceover artist for television adverts which promote new compact disc-formatted albums, in particular the Now That's What I Call Music!

Who has presented Pick of the Pops? ›

The original Pick of The Pops name was resurrected in 1989 when Alan Freeman came back to recall charts gone by on Radio 2. Dale Winton presented this Saturday show on Radio 2 from 2000 until 2010 when Tony Blackburn took over.

Who is taking over Steve Wright's Sunday show? ›

Michael Ball has paid tribute to Steve Wright, calling his legacy "immeasurable", as he took over the the late DJ's Sunday Love Songs programme on BBC Radio 2. Ball, a West End star who has presented on Radio 2 since 2008, was named as the show's new host after Wright died in February.

Who is taking over from Michael Ball? ›

I hope you will join us as we continue to share the love.” Paddy McGuinness will host a new Sunday show from 11am-1pm from June as Michael Ball moves to an earlier time.

When did Pick of the Pops start? ›

Pick of the Pops first went out on Tuesday evening, 4 October 1955. The first presenter was Franklin Engelmann, who played “a selection from the top shelf of current popular gramophone records”. It was a few weeks before Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock kick-started the transformation of the Hit Parade.

Will Pick of the Pops continue? ›

BBC Radio 2 has confirmed who will be taking over Pick of the Pops following the death of popular presenter Steve Wright. Veteran broadcaster Mark Goodier, 62, will now helm the show each Saturday afternoon from July, picking up where Wright left off.

Why is Paul Gambaccini not on Radio 2 today? ›

Steve Wright is to present a second show every weekend on BBC Radio 2 - a year after signing off from his weekday afternoon slot after 23 years. He will take over Saturday lunchtime show Pick of the Pops from fellow veteran Paul Gambaccini, who is moving to a new show on Sunday evenings.

Who was the last group to appear on Top of the Pops? ›

As the last episode featured no live acts in the studio, the last act to actually play live on a weekly episode of TOTP was Snow Patrol, who performed "Chasing Cars" in the penultimate edition; the last act ever featured visually on a weekly Top of the Pops was Girls Aloud, as part of the closing sequence of bands ...

Who is leaving Greatest Hits Radio? ›

After five incredible years, Mark Goodier is leaving Greatest Hits Radio.

Who's taking over from Steve Wright? ›

Now, the BBC has confirmed that radio legend Mark Goodier will be taking over Steve's iconic Saturday afternoon slot from July. Expressing his sentiments, Goodier said: "It's an honour to host the iconic Pick of the Pops, although I wish it were in happier circ*mstances as I was friends with Steve for almost 40 years.

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