'A terrible loss'... stars pay tribute to Steve Wright on 70th birthday

SIR Elton John leads tributes to Radio 2 legend Steve Wright on what would have been his 70th birthday today, calling the much-loved DJ’s death last year “a terrible loss for radio”.

- By Tom Bryant

Showbusiness friends tell how Wright's friendship and deep knowledge of music helped boost their careers as part of a Radio 2 special today in honour of the star who died in February last year aged 69.

Supported

Sir Elton, 78, reveals how it was Steve’s campaigning that forced his record company to switch his 1989 hit Sacrifice to become the A side of his single.

The singer adds: “It was my first solo number one record in England. He supported me all throughout my career. He had such a knowledge of music and a love of music. [His death] was, for me, a terrible loss for radio.”