Former Radio 1 presenter Mike Read pays tribute to Steve Wright
BBC presenter Steve Wright came "under pressure" to drop the Old Woman from BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright in the Afternoon due to "stereotyping".
Following the veteran broadcaster's death this week at the age of 69, Jeremy Vine paid tribute to the late presenter with a moving post on X, candidly sharing a memory about Steve and his regular "Old Woman" guest who appeared on his long-running show.
He penned: "Classic Steve Wright memory: his 'old woman' was an actual old woman who I used to see in the R2 lift. Steve came under pressure to drop his O.W. character because of 'stereotyping' — she stepped in and said she'd be devastated if she lost her role on his show #RIPSteveWright."
Joyce Frost, who appeared as the "Old Woman", died in 2016. She previously would come onto Steve's afternoon slot and would give her take on what was going on in the world, including a "factoids" slot.
When she died, Steve said: "She was a complete natural on the air and very opinionated and witty. She was always cheeky, she was always funny, she was always charming. It’s a sad loss, thank you for being the Old Woman with us Joyce and we’ll miss you very much."
Classic Steve Wright memory: his “old woman” was an actual old woman who I used to see in the R2 lift. Steve came under pressure to drop his O.W. character because of “stereotyping” — she stepped in and said she'd be devastated if she lost her role on his show. #RIPSteveWright
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 13, 2024
The Old Woman segment was one of the most recognised elements of Steve's three-hour afternoon show, along with characters such as Barry from Watford and the popular Ask Elvis segment.
The 69-year-old originally hosted Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2 from 1999, and also presented the slot Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs. He was replaced by Scott Mills in 2022, who took over from his mid-afternoon slot.
Steve's family confirmed his death in a statement on Tuesday, February 13. Steve's former colleagues from BBC Radio 2 have paid emotional tributes to him, including Tony Blackburn, Ken Bruce and Zoe Ball.
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Steve Wright has passed away at the age of 69 (Image: BBC )
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BBC Director-General Tim Davie also posted a statement to a "truly wonderful broadcaster." He said: "All of us at the BBC are heartbroken to hear this terribly sad news.
"Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades. He was the ultimate professional - passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners. [...] We are thinking of Steve and his family and will miss him terribly."
Tony Blackburn penned: "I am so sad that my dear friend Steve Wright has passed away. He was a great broadcaster and we just loved one another’s company. I was shocked at the news and will miss him terribly."
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