Fury as BBC News makes use of picture of Simon Bates in Steve Wright tribute
Steve Wright followers have criticised BBC Breakfast after it mistakenly confirmed a photograph of DJ Simon Bates whereas trailing a tribute to the late DJ.
On the information programme this morning, presenter Luxmy Gopal launched a forthcoming tribute to Wright, who broadcast for the BBC for 4 many years and died aged 69 on Monday, utilizing a photograph of former BBC Radio DJ Bates.
Gopal advised viewers: ‘Tributes proceed to pour in from the world of radio for the legendary DJ Steve Wright. We will converse to his co-host Janey Lee Grace in a while within the programme.’
Spotting the error, co-host Roger Johnson rapidly interjected, saying: ‘That’s not Steve Wright by the way in which in case you have been questioning, that is Simon Bates.’
Much cherished DJ Wright was discovered lifeless at his £2million flat on Monday morning.
Emergency providers rushed to the star’s residence in Marylebone, central London, simply after 10am on February 12, however he was pronounced lifeless on the scene.
The radio persona offered programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for greater than 4 many years earlier than his dying.
BBC Breakfast presenters Roger Johnson and Luxmy Gopal in the course of the awkward part the place a photograph of DJ Simon Bates, 77, was proven as an alternative of Steve Wright, who died final week aged 69
The picture of Simon Bates, 77,utilized by the BBC – the place Steve Wright spent a lot of his profession – on BBC Breakfast this morning. Bates hosts two exhibits for rival station Boom Radio
DJ Steve Wright was discovered lifeless at his residence in London on Monday morning, leaving followers of the broadcaster devastated
Viewers have been vital of the embarrassing gaffe although, with many taking to X to remark.
One wrote: ‘Should be ashamed! Showing an image of Simon Bates if you find yourself telling us you’ll pay tribute to Steve Wright. Not like he gave his whole profession to the BBC or something! Try and get the appropriate materials prepared for the piece eh!’
Another added: ‘What went improper with the prog this morning? Trying to make a tribute about Steve Wright and wrongly exhibiting a pic of Simon Bates? Come on! He labored in the identical organisation for heavens sake. Unforgivable.’
Veteran DJ Simon Bates, 77, labored on the BBC from 1971 till 1993 and now presents exhibits on rival station Boom radio.
After recognizing the error, presenter Roger Johnson advised viewers: ‘That’s not Steve Wright by the way in which in case you have been questioning, that is Simon Bates.’
Wright, some of the acquainted voices on the airwaves within the UK, died all of the sudden on Monday – leaving his colleagues at Radio 2 and his many followers deeply shocked.
This weekend, the late broadcaster’s son paid tribute to the BBC legend and stated he acquired to know him in a method he ‘by no means had earlier than’ whereas caring for him earlier than he died.
Tom Wright had been dwelling in Los Angeles however returned to the UK to are likely to his father earlier than his dying.
In a touching publish on social media, the grieving son stated: ‘It meant the world to me that I used to be capable of get to know my Dad in a method I by no means had within the months earlier than he died.
‘I’ll cherish each second we shared and each reminiscence we made.
‘I solely hope to make him proud and construct on his legacy with kindness and love.’
After leaving BBC in 1993, Bates had spells at Classic FM, Gold and Smooth Radio – and at present works at Boom Radio. Right: Steve Wright pictured in his studio in 1994
BBC Radio One DJ Janice Long (centre) holding an outsize pair of false enamel in 1985 alongside her then-fellow Radio 1 DJs Bruno Brookes (backside), Steve Wright (left) and Simon Bates (proper)
He added: ‘This made each battle worthwhile to have had this time with him earlier than we misplaced him.’
Just two days earlier than his father handed away, Tom posted that he had returned to Britain to spend every week with him earlier than he acquired his MBE awarded within the New Year Honours listing.
He stated he hopes to search out consolation in recordings of his father’s radio broadcasts sooner or later.
Tom wrote about shedding each of his mother and father: ‘Thank the Gods I’m sober, as this may have straight up killed me even a pair years in the past after shedding Mum over the pandemic in the identical method with out attending to see him earlier than he handed after flying again to deal with the outdated blighter.’
It comes because the final image of the legendary broadcaster exhibits him larking round and taking ‘ironic selfies’ with a pal in New York simply weeks earlier than his dying.
Steve’s heartbroken brother blamed the BBC star’s dying on his poor weight loss plan and claimed that he hid his well being issues from his household, MailOnline revealed.
Laurence Wright, 65, additionally shut down claims that the Corporation’s choice to axe him from his long-running Radio 2 Afternoon Show contributed to his dying, revealing the veteran star was ‘grateful’ for the remaining.
Speaking solely to MailOnline, Laurence stated: ‘He was conscious that he might have taken care of himself higher, in his way of life decisions. Obviously all of us want he had.
‘It’s like anybody who would not take care of themselves over an prolonged interval. The regular stuff – weight loss plan, vitamin, train, sleep, stress – he was a really stoic form of man as effectively so if he had one thing improper with him and he needed to go to have some remedy or go to the medical doctors, he would not discuss it.
‘He was the form of man who would simply keep on, deal with it, not discuss it, not make an enormous factor, that form of stoic type of angle.
‘That’s simply how he was – that most likely did not assist actually, as a result of he would not have assist or take recommendation essentially.’
