Steve Wright’s replacement for his Pick of the Pops show has finally been announced by BBC bosses.
The brodcaster sadly passed away in February at the age of 69, after emergency services were called to his home in the London area of Marylebone, following a “incident”. Despite paramedics doing their most to resuscitate the radio DJ, he was tragically pronounced dead.
When news broke of Steve’s passing, thousands of listeners were left devastated, as many had continued to tune in to his weekly radio show Pick of the Pops. Producers at the BBC had given the presenter the boot and he was due to give his final show within weeks of his death, with many believing he died of a “broken heart”.
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Since the death was announced, BBC producers scrambled to find someone to replace the presenter temporarily whilst a more formal deal was done. Currently, the show has been hosted by veteran DJ Gary Davies.
(Image: BBC)
Now, the BBC has announced that radio icon Mark Goodier will be taking over Steve’s iconic show each Saturday afternoon from July. From there, Goodier will carry on with Steve’s show as normal, running down the charts from two different weeks from the last seven decades.
Speaking about bagging the show, Mark explained: “It’s an honour to host the iconic Pick of the Pops, although I wish it were in happier circumstances as I was friends with Steve for almost 40 years. 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.”
(Image: bbcradio2 / Instagram)
BBC Radio 2’s head Helen Thomas added: “Mark is a brilliant broadcaster with a particular passion for chart countdowns, so I’m delighted he’s making a welcome return to Radio 2 in the prestigious Pick of the Pops slot, to complete our new weekend presenting line-up following the loss of our friend and colleague, Steve. I would also like to thank Gary Davies for presenting Pick of the Pops across these past weeks, in addition to hosting the weekly, must-listen edition of his Sounds of the 80s show each Saturday night.”
Goodier has been a part of the radio family for decades, first becoming a broadcaster in the 1970s. He was able to break into the industry working as a mobile DJ before getting the job of presenter a station in Edinburgh.
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
After landing the role as a youngster, Mark has been a stalwart of the BBC’s radio programming. Listeners will best recognise him for presenting the UK’s top 40 songs on BBC Radio 1 from 1990 to 1992 and 1995 until 2002.
Wright’s Sunday slot has been given to singer Michael Ball, whose show Love Songs with Michael Ball was moved to Steve’s old time. Bolton lad Paddy McGuinness will kick off a new show on Sundays from 11am to 1pm, where Ball had originally been.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
