Jeremy Vine never told Steve Wright that he was a big fan of his

He said: "I did the show before his for 20 years, saw him every day... In all the conversations I had, I never mentioned to him that first meeting on the beachfront in Cornwall because I thought he'd be uncomfortable if he knew what a fan I was. I always thought he was somebody who wanted true friendship, not admiration."

Jeremy went on to describe his friend as "humble and gracious" who despite being one of the "quietest souls" when he was off-air, still managed to change lives for the better with his show that went out to millions of viewers in the afternoon.

Jeremy added: "He was humble, gracious, kind - really quite shy, not always that sociable in crowds, but hugely thoughtful when you became his friend. One of the greatest, loudest voices in British radio was one of the most gentle, quietest souls in real life. God bless you, Steve. You changed so many of our lives for the better."

He credited Steve for rebooting Radio Two in the 90s when it was in danger of being shut down and remembered first meeting him at a Radio One Roadshow in 1981 and playing the quiz 'Bits Pieces' on air.

What's more, BBC Radio 1 host Greg James also remembered his fellow broadcast star by playing his theme tune on the air this morning.

He said: "It was only gonna be one song to start. Loved the show, Steve."

'The Jeremy Vine Show' weekdays, 9.15am, Channel 5.