DJ Steve Wright, who is widely remembered as a radio pioneer, died from a ruptured stomach ulcer in February 2024, aged 69. In the months that followed, as tributes from fans and listeners poured in, his friend Anthony James brutally slammed the BBC, where Steve had worked since the 1970s.

Anthony also worked with the late DJ on Steve Wright in the Afternoon and Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs and has said he is unhappy with the BBC's handling of his friend's career, before and after his death. Wright was famously axed from the broadcaster in 2022, despite the success of his show being “through the roof”.

According to The Telegraph, the star revealed to Anthony that he had been told of its cancellation and sworn to secrecy by the BBC nine months before his axing.

It’s said that he believed he had been reassured by Helen Thomas, the head of BBC Radio 2, that the show would continue via a new digital channel; however, as months went on, there was no word of this.

Wright had reportedly been approached by director-general Tim Davie, who allegedly told Wright: “I can't believe she fired you… I wouldn't have fired you myself.” The BBC has since denied this.

Anthony claimed the axing of Steve Wright in the Afternoon was part of a move by the BBC to ban broadcasters who were considered too “pale, male and stale.”

He told the publication: “They thought that this idea of personality is old style; it's not cool anymore, we should make Radio 2 cool.

“But who gives a s*** about cool? It's about being entertained.”

Anthony claimed that the sacking had a devastating effect on Wright's physical and mental health and said: “He didn't really stop to accept it. I think it ate him up. It got worse, and his health got worse.”

Helen wrote to Anthony last year, seeking permission to play his music in a BBC tribute concert for Wright and after agreeing, he told her that he had no plans of attending.

It’s alleged that in the week before the concert, Helen suggested the event would be a good opportunity to network. To which Anthony blasted: “This is not about networking. This is about a tribute to my friend.”

Later this month, BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a tribute concert for Wright in his memory, but Anthony believes the push to honour Wright is inauthentic and was driven by concern that his absence would “look bad” for the broadcaster.

The Daily Express have contacted the BBC for comment.