Image: BBC
Steve Wright has signed off from his final daily BBC Radio 2 programme after 23 years as a fixture in the station's weekday schedules.
The DJ delivered a heartfelt speech during the last edition of Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Friday.
He said: "I want to say thank you to you for your appreciation, our dearest listener smashing and loyal, for all the reaction and all the nice words."
He stressed that he was not retiring, and will keep his Sunday morning show.
Wright will also launch his Serious Jockin' podcast on 4 November, and will present special programmes on the station including for National Album Day on 15 October and at Christmas.
'A little bit of light relief'
"Thank you if you've ever seen your way to listening to us over 23 years at any time," he told listeners. "Thank you, thank you and thank you again.
"Corny though it sounds, I quite like the way that we've all helped each other get through some of our ongoing problems together - the pandemic, the financial downturns, the ups and downs of life in the UK. Sometimes it's been very difficult for everybody.
"[We] tried on this programme to bring just a little bit of light relief, a good genuine atmosphere, uplifting tunes, good conversation, a little bit of satire. We tried to make the show unique and just be good company. I can only hope that we've done that some of the time.
Adding that; "I'm also really aware there are more things to think about than a radio show ending so I don't want to be too self indulgent. What I do want to do is celebrate the show's success and long run, and also mention that I'm not retiring!".
Image: BBC
When the end of his "big show" was announced in July, the 68-year-old revealed that the head of Radio 2 had told him she wanted to do "something different" in his slot. He said: "That's OK. I understand that."
Former Radio 1 host Scott Mills will move into Radio 2's 14:00-16:00 slot later this year, with drivetime presenter Sara Cox's show extended to begin at 16:00 instead of the current 17:00.
In a statement on the Radio 2 website, Wright said: "I know I've been extremely lucky to do this work and have never taken it for granted."
He joked: "There is no truth in the rumour I'm planning to open my own artisan bakery, and I've turned down twice the chance to open my own nail bar. So it's all good.
"Please do listen to Scott Mills and Sara Cox when they take over afternoons. They are both brilliant broadcasters and I truly wish them well when they start."
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