Liz Kershaw blasts BBC over remedy of Steve Wright
Liz Kershaw has blasted the BBC for its ‘shabby’ remedy of Steve Wright previous to his dying yesterday, claiming bosses cruelly ‘dumped’ him and deal with stars like ‘tins of beans on a shelf’.
The veteran radio presenter stated it made her ‘really feel sick’ to see the broadcaster pay tribute to the legendary DJ after a schedule shake-up final 12 months noticed Scott Mills take over his long-held Radio 2 afternoon slot.
‘It’s shabby, it is hypocritical. They simply dumped him,’ the previous BBC presenter instructed GB News this morning.
‘New administration stated we’ll refresh the schedule – they usually deal with individuals like tins of beans on a shelf.
‘I doubt that there was any follow-up, or any pastoral care, or any help for him. He did not want cash as he has been one of many highest paid individuals on air.
‘But, you realize, I’m wondering in the event that they thought of the way it affected him. There are some individuals for whom fame and a focus are their oxygen. And he was a kind of; it was completely his life.’
Veteran radio presenter Liz Kershaw has blasted the BBC’s ‘shabby’ remedy of legendary DJ Steve Wright
Steve Wright, who has died on the age of 69, pictured in his recording studio in 1994
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for remark.
Wright continued to current Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 and since October final 12 months he introduced the long-running present Pick Of The Pops, which had beforehand been fronted by Paul Gambaccini.
His household made the shock announcement yesterday that he had died, aged 69, with BBC director basic Tim Davie main the tributes declaring the BBC was heartbroken to listen to of his dying.
‘Steve was a really fantastic broadcaster who has been an enormous a part of so lots of our lives over many a long time,’ he stated.
‘He was the last word skilled – passionate concerning the craft of radio and deeply in contact together with his listeners. This was deservedly recognised within the New Year Honours checklist together with his MBE for providers to radio.
‘No-one had extra vitality to ship exhibits that put a smile on audiences’ faces. They beloved him deeply. We are pondering of Steve and his household and can miss him terribly.’
But a visibly angered Ms Kershaw says the BBC ought to apologise for the best way Wright was handled.
‘Steve was so centered and pushed and it is their life, that’s who they’re, and to take it away from anyone after which come again months later and say, “We will miss Steve, he was such a professional, he was brilliant, he was the best”.
‘I simply do not know the way they’ll say that. And are also they going to apologise to the general public?
‘Because since his final present and I do know there have been different adjustments Radio Two has misplaced 1.2 million listeners. This is 8 per cent of its viewers.
Wright seen in a current photograph from when he was out strolling in central London
BBC director basic Tim Davie led the tributes to Wright declaring the BBC was heartbroken to listen to of his dying
The legendary broadcaster introduced Steve Wright within the Afternoon for 12 years on Radio 1 and an extra 23 years on Radio 2. He is pictured in 1980
Wright being shocked in his studio by Paul McCartney. Also pictured is his manufacturing assistant Dianne Oxberry
The DJ with George Michael in an undated photograph taken inside a BBC studio
Tributes poured in from the world of radio as they shared touching tales about Wright
‘So individuals know what they like, no one’s received a job for all times. Things have to alter. But I believe there are severe inquiries to be answered.
‘I might solely think about that it was a shock, an actual shock to search out he did not have one thing to do and was not going to be working 5 days per week and thrilling the nation on daily basis.’
Wright was a long-standing presenter of Top Of The Pops on BBC One and introduced the favored Sunday Love Songs weekend mid-morning present on Radio 2.
His final present was a pre-recorded Valentine’s Day version of the programme two days in the past. Wright instructed listeners in his last sign-off: ‘I’ll be again for extra love songs subsequent Sunday, ta-da then.’
He was attributable to make a comeback to BBC Radio 2 as a part of a line-up for a ‘pop nostalgia’ spin-off station earlier than his dying.
Bosses unveiled plans final week to introduce 4 new radio stations in an try and claw again alienated listeners to the BBC, together with a brand new Radio 2 spin-off specializing in the music of the Fifties, Nineteen Sixties and Nineteen Seventies.
The station would’ve been the brand new house of the legendary DJ’s Sunday Love Songs present, which he had been presenting on the channel since 1996, previous to his ‘very sudden’ dying earlier this week.
An announcement shared by Wright’s household yesterday saying his dying stated: ‘It is with deep sorrow and profound remorse 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 shut buddies and colleagues, and thousands and thousands of devoted radio listeners who had the nice fortune and nice pleasure of permitting Steve into their day by day lives as one of many UK’s most enduring and common radio personalities.
‘As all of us grieve, the household requests privateness at this immensely tough time.’
