Like many in the UK, I grew up listening to the legendary Steve Wright in the Afternoon.
As a roofer, in the mid-eighties, there was NO OTHER SHOW to listen to while making North East homes watertight.
So the leap from scrambling around the rafters with a sack of nails between my legs to being a guest on The Big Show was obviously too much for my tiny brain. The classic, it could never happen.
But happen it did.
In November 2012 I was a guest of the great man on his show talking about my book The Edge, How the Best Get Better.
On Tuesday evening I looked back at my journal and the memories came flooding back.
Steve was brilliant. Here are three observations I made:
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He wanted to chat for a bit before the interview to make sure I was relaxed - often these things are ‘in and out’.
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When I said he was an ‘Edger’ and that I’d mention that on air, he asked me not to. He suggested the listeners want to hear about everyone other than the host.
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He told me in advance about the ‘curve ball question’ he was going to ask at the end. That was kind and it gave me a chance to prepare a great response.
He also said the interview was scheduled for 3 minutes but he’d see if he could make it a little longer. It lasted for 4 mins 37 secs 😊.
You can listen to a recording of the interview of superstar Steve and Michael the former roofer here: https://www.michaelheppell.com/steve-wright-interview/.
When we’d finished, I asked if I could have a photograph. He shared that he’d been getting a bit of grief from a couple of newspapers (you can guess the ones) about how he looked and felt a bit uncomfortable with having his picture taken.
Then he quipped about how that’s why he’s perfect for radio.
I was a little saddened by this and wrote about it in my journal, adding:
‘Sometimes those who appear to have the strongest self-confidence are delicate too’.
And on Tuesday, it came flooding back.
I’ll miss his voice, his professionalism, and his incredible sense of humour. Most of all, I’ll miss his kindness.
I’d love to know your thoughts and memories of Steve Wright.
Please leave your comments below.
Michael
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