Four years later, he joined BBC Radio 1, presenting weekend programmes before launching Steve Wright in the Afternoon in 1981 - the show that would ultimately define his career.
He began presenting a Saturday programme and Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2 from 1996, before launching his afternoon show in 1999, a slot he would keep until 2022.
Scott Mills took over the afternoon programme during a string of schedule changes at the station in 2022, but Wright stayed with Radio 2, continuing to present Sunday Love Songs as well as a series of specials and podcasts.
Fellow DJ Tony Blackburn posted on social media:"I am so sad that my dear friend Steve Wright has passed away.
Scott Mills, who took over the afternoon slot from Wright, posted:"He made everything sound effortless, and worked so hard to make every show world class.
"He created a kind of club which whether he was interviewing you or whether you were enjoying it as a listener, you looked forward to joining every day," she told the PA news agency.
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