BBC Radio 2 has finally revealed who will take over for the beloved host. Steve Wright after he passed away.
The renowned DJ passed away on Monday, February 12, at 69 years old, after emergency medical technicians were summoned to his home in Marylebone following an ‘incident.’
Nicki Chapman, the Early Breakfast show presenter, temporarily took over filled in for Wright’s Sunday Love Songs slot after his passing, but the station has now announced who will take over from Chapman.
Singer Michael Ball, who currently hosts from 11am to 1pm on Sundays, will host Love Songs with Michael Ball from 9 to 11am starting in June.
Ball expressed in a statement released by the station: ‘Steve made Love Songs “appointment to listen” radio. I’m beyond excited and more than a little nervous to be tasked with the chance to continue with his extraordinary legacy.’
The 61-year-old Coming Home To You singer continued: ‘Beautiful, moving, relaxing and uplifting music to lift the soul on a Sunday morning, along with the stories, suggestions, requests and precious memories from you, the listener, will ensure that this won’t be just MY show, but OUR show. I hope you will join us as we continue to share the love.’
Ball initially gained fame as a musical theatre star, making his West End debut in 1985 as Marius in the original cast of Les Misérables. He went on to become a huge West End star. He was eventually honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his cultural contributions to musical theatre.
He’s also had a distinguished career as a recording artist and TV star, achieving four number-one albums in the UK to date and appearing in programs like Coronation Street.
Ball has hosted programs across the BBC since 2005 and has led his current show since 2016.
BBC Radio 2 also disclosed that Paddy McGuinness will host a new Sunday show from 11am-1pm from June as Ball moves to Wright’s old time.
The Top Gear star has recently been standing in for Rylan Clark on Saturday afternoons and presented two shows over the Easter weekend, preparing to host his own show.
He said: ‘I’ve loved keeping Rylan’s seat warm on Saturday afternoons and returning to the airwaves over Easter.
‘To be given my very own regular show on the renowned Radio 2 is a dream come true.’
Head of BBC Radio 2 Helen Thomas said of the changes: ‘Although these are changes that we’d rather not be making, given the circumstances, I’m delighted to welcome Paddy and Michael to their new Sunday slots on Radio 2.
‘I’m looking forward to Michael’s new earlier show, where he’ll entertain his “lovelies” as he’s always done, and Paddy made a huge impression on our listeners when he sat in for Rylan as well as with his Easter specials.
‘I’d also like to thank Nicki Chapman for presenting brilliant editions of Sunday Love Songs for the past few weeks.'
There has been an outpouring of love and grief following Wright's death, with many attributing his declining health to being removed from his long-standing Radio 2 show.
Gary Farrow, a celebrity PR and longtime friend of Wright, suggested that Wright passed away from a ‘broken heart’ after Scott Mills took over his 23-year tenure on air.
He told Metro.co.uk: ‘Steve lived for that show, he absolutely loved it — and the listeners loved him.
‘In my opinion, he died from a broken heart. I’ll never understand the decision to let him go.’
His colleagues had reportedly been aware of his ill health, but his death still came as a major shock.
Several of his Radio 2 co-workers, including Nicki Chapman, became emotional live on air as they remembered Wright.
