Helen Thomas: Last News

Steve Wright's colleagues are said to be "enraged" by a tribute from Radio 2 station boss Helen Thomas after she axed him from the 2pm until 5pm slot he held for 24 years. Helen paid tribute to the late DJ, who tragically died on Monday, 12 February, aged 69, with a statement which described the legendary star as being "second to none." Her tribute comes just 18 months after she axed his popular afternoon show and moved him to Sunday mornings where he hosted Sunday Love Songs.

The BBC has finally announced who will take over as host on the airwaves for Steve Wright's Pick of the Pops show on Radio 2 following his tragic passing earlier this year.

Steve Wright's brother has shut down claims his late sibling died of a broken heart. Laurence Wright, 65, has broken his silence following the death of his brother earlier this week and claimed the late broadcaster died due to lifestyle choices and a poor diet.

The cause of Steve Wright's death remains unknown after his sudden passing at the age of 69.The BBC Radio 2 DJ had made his last radio appearance just days before his family announced his death, with a heartfelt statement which read: "It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright. "In addition to his son, Tom, and daughter, Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother, Laurence and his father Richard.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Steve Wright has sadly died, at the age of 69. His family released a heartbreaking statement announcing the news, as they shared their "deep sorrow" at his passing. Here it is in full, as the statement began: "It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright.

Rylan Clark is being replaced on his BBC Radio 2 show by Paddy McGuinness. Rylan will be off for four weeks in February, while Paddy promises to bring an "endless supply of dad jokes" to the Saturday afternoon radio show. This news comes as Rylan has revealed a surprise career change – he'll be performing at Henley Festival in July with stars including Gladys Knight, Sam Ryder, and Nicole Scherzinger.

Rylan Clark is set to be replaced on his BBC Radio 2 show by Paddy McGuinness, who has vowed to provide listeners with an "endless supply of dad jokes".

BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay will be taking part in an exhausting challenge to help raise cash for Children In Need. Veron started his 115-mile ultamarathon on Tuesday - which he aims to complete by Friday night.

left the station back in March and joined Greatest Hits Radio the following month. Kay has since permanently replaced him on the mid-morning programme.New figures shared by radio industry body Rajar have revealed that Kay is currently pulling in 6.9million listeners – 1.3million fewer than Bruce did on Radio 2 (via BBC News).But the numbers do, however, mean Kay has the most popular radio show in the UK.The latest set of audience figures from Rajar – which are published four times a year – span June to September 2023.

Vernon Kay said fans of veteran broadcaster Ken Bruce have given him “the best trolling I’ve ever had” ahead of his start at BBC Radio 2 on Monday. The TV presenter, 49, announced in February that he was taking over from Scottish radio presenter Ken. Ken had previously revealed he was be stepping down from presenting his mid-morning show on the station after 31 years.

BBC Radio 2's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest final will be presented by Rylan Clark and Scott Mills, it has been announced.

Vernon Kay will replace Ken Bruce on his BBC Radio 2 mid-morning weekday show, the BBC has confirmed.The TV presenter, 48, will take over in May following the announcement last month that Scottish broadcasting veteran Ken, 72, would be stepping down from presenting his mid-morning show on the station after 31 years. Ken will present his final show on 3 March, the BBC confirmed on Friday.

The BBC has confirmed who will replace Ken Bruce on his BBC Radio 2 mid-morning weekday show.

Carol Kirkwood has wished one of her colleagues good luck in his new job, but concerned fans are wondering about his future.The 60-year-old wished Owain Wyn Evans well as he prepares to switch from North West Weather to BBC Radio 2.Carol shared the news with her 236,000 followers and wished him “congratulations” and branded it “fab news”READ MORE: BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty says emotional goodbye to co-star as he quits showOwain’s initial message read: “From January I’ll be presenting the new Early Breakfast Show live from gorgeous Cardiff, making it the first daily Radio 2 show to be broadcast from Wales.

Instagram to share a picture of himself on board a speed boat after news broke this week that the presenter would be stepping down from his BBC Radio 2 show.The decision came after it was revealed he has to share the slot with comic Rob Beckett.The presenter has aimed a sly dig at BBC producers, as he joked about creating his own "Pirate Radio Station" aboard a boat.Paul shared the sun-kissed snap on Instagram yesterday in view of his 698,000 Instagram followers.He could be seen smiling on board the luxury boat, with the picturesque background of Amsterdam behind him.Paul captioned the post: "I wonder if I could start up a Pirate Radio Station on one of these? Boating on the Amstel and I’ve already taken out two pedals and a swimmer."Still sounding like Lee Marvin and inclined to fall asleep after the Covid but otherwise ok.

BBC Radio 2 job after 14 years. The star has been hosting a Sunday evening show on the station from 5pm until 7pm since 2009. In a statement, the For the Love of Dogs host said: "I've loved doing my Sunday afternoon show for the last 14 years and I'm going to miss my listeners as well as the fun I've had with my producer Malcolm Prince, but I feel that now is the right time to go.

Paul O'Grady is stepping down from his show on BBC Radio 2. The longtime comedian and host usually presents the Sunday afternoon slot from 5-7pm on the station but now the network has announced he has decided to permanently step down from his show.Paul’s last programme will be on Sunday 14 August as he comes to the end of his current 13 week run of shows.READ MORE: Paul O'Grady leaves fans devastated as he announces show will be pulled from airPaul reflected on his time at the station in a poignant statement as he said: “I’ve loved doing my Sunday afternoon show for the last 14 years and I’m going to miss my listeners as well as the fun I’ve had with my producer Malcolm Prince, but I feel that now is the right time to go.”Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas says: “I’d like to thank Paul for so many years of his brilliant Sunday afternoon show.

Vanessa Feltz has quit BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio London after two decades on air. The 60 year old This Morning agony aunt has announced her departure from her radio shows, saying she's “loved every moment” of her early-morning programmes but is stepping down to catch up on a “decade’s deficit of beauty sleep”.

Vanessa Feltz has announced that she is leaving both her BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show and her BBC Radio London Breakfast Show after almost 20 years.The 60-year-old announced her decision on her Radio 2 show on Thursday (July 28), revealing she will be leaving in August.The This Morning regular told listeners: “I have loved every moment with my Radio 2 ‘Early Birds’ and will miss my Lovely Listeners, Jolly Good Fellows and beloved friends and colleagues at Radio 2 with all my heart. However, after almost 12 blissful years, I now need to step down to catch up on a much needed decade’s deficit of beauty sleep!READ MORE: Holly Willoughby and Phillip stunned by Vanessa Feltz's awkward male contraception quip“It’s been an honour and privilege to be the Breakfast voice of BBC Radio London for 20 years and although I’m leaving the show, I’ll continue to expect hugs from my lovely listeners when I see them on the streets of London!“I will enjoy a dollop of energy-boosting shut-eye to swing from zip-lines with my three effervescent grandchildren and frolic with my fiancé Ben, who irritatingly remains 10 years younger than me!"Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas, said: "For almost 12 years, Vanessa has made her live weekday Early Breakfast Show her very own kingdom, and I’d like to thank her wholeheartedly for the thousands of middle-of-the-night starts she’s made to entertain the Radio 2 listeners.

There are big moves being made over in the world of BBC Radio, with both Scott Mills and Steve Wright leaving their long-running shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2.  Both Scott and Steve are practically part of the furniture at their respective stations but announced they would both be leaving their current afternoon shows in the months to come.  Scott, 49, currently helms the drivetime slot alongside Chris Stark, 35, who will also be exiting the station, as well as the Official Chart Show on Fridays.

Sir David Attenborough is to examine the mystery of the dinosaurs’ last days in a BBC1/PBS/France Télévisions feature film that will unearth a dig site hidden in the hills of North Dakota.