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Steve Wright in the Afternoon

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Steve Wright in the Afternoon is the name given to English DJ Steve Wright's popular radio shows. Wright's show was known by that name from 1989.

Wright deejayed in the afternoons on BBC Radio 1 from 30 March 1981 to 24 December 1993 and then at breakfast from 10 January 1994 to 21 April 1995, becoming known as Steve Wright in the Morning. He moved back to afternoons on BBC Radio 2, where it has broadcast since 5 July 1999. The shows were and still are the most popular on each station, and the Radio 2 version (which is broadcast from 14:00 until 17:00 Monday to Friday) is frequently referred to on-air as The Big Show.

Radio 1

Steve Wright in the Afternoon
GenreComedy, chat and music
Running time2½ hours (3:00 pm – 5:30 pm)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 1
Hosted bySteve Wright
Original release30 March 1981 –
24 December 1993

Steve Wright in the Afternoon started on BBC Radio 1 in 1981 where it ran successfully for a number of years until December 1993.

Wright started at Radio 1 in January 1980, presenting a number of different shows and filling in for other presenters. He gained a regular weekday afternoon programme on 30 March 1981.[1]

The programme's start time and length changed in the early years, before moving to its regular 15:00–17:30 slot on 30 September 1985.[2] Originally it was simply listed as Steve Wright in the Radio Times; it was first billed as Steve Wright in the Afternoon on 4 December 1989.[3]

The programme ended on 24 December 1993, as Wright and his 'posse' moved to the breakfast show, presenting Steve Wright in the Morning from 10 January 1994.

Radio 2

Steve Wright in the Afternoon
Other namesThe Big Show
GenreComedy, chat and music
Running time3 hours (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 2
Hosted bySteve Wright
Starring
Recording studio
Original release5 July 1999 (1999-07-05)
Audio formatStereo
PodcastSteve Wright in the Afternoon - The Big Podcast

Wright presented Steve Wright in the Morning on Radio 1 until he was replaced by Chris Evans in April 1995,[4] at which time Wright left the BBC. After this, he worked at Talk Radio, and at GWR presenting a networked weekend show. He returned to the BBC – but on Radio 2 – in 1996. He started as a weekend presenter hosting a Saturday morning show and Sunday morning's Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs. Steve Wright in the Afternoon was revived in 1999 following a shake-up at Radio 2 and Wright now presents the show every Monday to Friday from 14:00 to 17:00. It has built up a huge following[citation needed] and was given its own podcast in 2006 as part of a trial period. This is still available every week with highlights from the show. The Big Show follows the zoo format, with Steve Wright as the host, and co-presenters Tim Smith and Janey Lee Grace, as well as input from news and travel presenters on the day. There was also a character called 'The Old Woman'; when she appeared on the show, listeners did not know her identity, but many rumours circulated on the internet as to who she was. On 9 November 2016, Steve Wright confirmed the death of Joyce Frost from Dagenham, aka 'The Old Woman', thereby revealing her true identity.[5] Other spoof characters include 'Barry from Watford' (the octogenarian lifestyle coach - played by the actor Alex Lowe) and 'Elvis', who until 2014 appeared in the feature Ask Elvis, performed by Mitch Benn.

Format

The show begins at 14:00 after the news with the show's main theme. Unlike most shows, it is well established as being a "brand", with its own unique style of presentation, although Wright regularly uses the standard BBC Radio 2 jingles along with jingles unique to the show, written and performed by AJ Music Productions.[6] Guests regularly appear on the show, often to plug a new TV show or movie.

References

  1. ^ "Steve Wright". Radio Times. Vol. 231, no. 2994 (London ed.). 26 March 1981. p. 40. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Steve Wright". Radio Times. Vol. 247, no. 3228 (London ed.). 26 September 1985. p. 42. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Steve Wright in the Afternoon". Radio Times. Vol. 263, no. 3443 (London and South East ed.). 30 November 1989. p. 78. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Steve Wright in the Morning". Radio Times. Vol. 285, no. 3718 (London ed.). 20 April 1995. p. 94. Retrieved 23 May 2020. Steve Wright presents his last Breakfast Show after 14 years on Radio 1.
  5. ^ "'Old Woman' on Radio 2's Steve Wright show dies". BBC News. BBC. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2017. Joyce Frost, who appeared as the "Old Woman" on BBC Radio 2's Steve Wright in the Afternoon, has died.
  6. ^ "AJ Music Productions". AJ Music Productions. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
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