Radio presenter Ken Bruce has led tributes from Oxfordshire residents to BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Steve Wright after his death aged 69.

On Tuesday, a statement shared to the broadcaster by Mr Wright’s family announced the death of the “beloved” presenter, aged 69.

Following the news, Mr Bruce, who is believed to live in Thame, paid tribute to the “outstanding” broadcaster revealing he was planning to have lunch with him to celebrate his MBE.

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His friend and long-time BBC radio colleague Mr Bruce said: “Totally shocked to hear the news about the great Steve Wright. We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE.

“An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him.

“What a loss to the world of radio.”

Oxford Mail: Ken Bruce

Tributes were also paid by fans of Mr Wright from across Oxfordshire.

Posting to social media, Philip Porter wrote: "How sad. Listened to him most days, so sad when he left Radio 2 too soon.

"A legend on the radio, cheered us all up and made me smile all the time. RIP Steve."

Stephan Plant said: "Wonderful man with a grasp of what everybody wanted.

"I had two years in the cab and many years in a workshop environment and the radio never ever came second it was always tuned to the man who made everyone happy.

"None of us could have asked for more. RIP a great guy who was so many things to so many people,"

Ian Jackman added: "Gutted will miss Sunday live songs listened to him every weekend."

Julie Gennis said: "Listened to him all day at work in my younger days .

 Cathy McMillan wrote: "My most favourite DJ on the Radio loved his taste in music RIP Steve never be forgotten!"

John-Maria Janes Davies added: "Heartbreaking, he was the voice of my youth."

Tim Finn said: "Totally unique delivery and humour…he made me laugh out loud. I will miss him"

Mr Wright last appeared on air on Sunday, hosting a pre-recorded special Valentine’s Day edition of his Love Songs programme on Radio 2.

The broadcaster joined BBC Radio 1 in 1980 to host a Saturday evening show before moving on to host Steve Wright In The Afternoon a year later until 1993.

He then fronted the Radio 1 Breakfast show for a year until 1995, and completed a stint at commercial radio stations before returning to BBC Radio 2 in 1996 to host Steve Wright’s Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs.

In 1999, he recreated Steve Wright In The Afternoon every weekday on Radio 2, with celebrity interviews and entertaining trivia featured in his Factoids segment, before stepping down in September 2022.

Former BBC Radio 1 host Scott Mills took over the afternoon slot as part of the station’s schedule shake-up.

Mr Wright continued to present Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 and since October last year, he presented the long-running show Pick Of The Pops, which had previously been fronted by acclaimed radio DJ Paul Gambaccini.

He was made an MBE in the new year honours for services to radio.