The toxic feud tearing Steve Wright’s family apart as dad, 94, marries carer 43 years his junior a year after DJ’s death
AS love stories go, it’s not quite Romeo And Juliet.
But the marriage of late radio great Steve Wright’s “seriously ill” 94-year-old dad to his much younger carer has sparked a bitter family feud.
Friends claim Richard getting hitched to Marta Juanes Martin — who is 43 years his junior — has “torn the family apart”.
Steve’s younger brother Laurence is said to be particularly upset by their romance and did not attend the wedding last September.
So what does pretty, dark-haired Marta, 51, see in the retired tailor and shop manager?
One source said: “It’s all very strange and obviously raises a lot of questions. He looks like he could be her grandfather.
“Only nine people attended the wedding. Laurence was so upset he refused to go.”
Our insider added: “Another thing that seems bizarre is that Marta has a load of pictures on her social media — but there doesn’t appear to be any of the ‘happy couple’ together.
“Most new brides flaunt their lovey-dovey snaps all over Facebook etc, but there’s no sign of Richard on any of her socials.
“Perhaps, being the generation he is, he’s not too keen on being paraded on TikTok — and you can’t blame him.”
‘It is difficult’
The unlikely family rift comes a year on from radio legend Steve’s death aged 69.
The dad-of-two was found dead at his £2million home in Marylebone, central London, on February 12.
He had died from a ruptured stomach ulcer.
Richard tied the knot with Marta on September 28 last year at Worthing Library in West Sussex.
They live together in a £328,000 two-bedroom flat, close to the seaside town’s pebble beach.
The area is a bolthole for the retired community and boasts a plethora of care homes.
Despite the fallout, Marta last night insisted that, just like any newlyweds, they are a loved-up couple.
She says she is saddened by the turn of events.
Asked about the situation and if she finds it upsetting, Marta told The Sun: “Yeah, of course. It is difficult.”
She said they are “of course” in love, and, intriguingly, added of Laurence: “He wasn’t here. He was in Spain at that time.”
A source close to the couple said: “They insist that they are incredibly happy together and are absolutely in love.
“Of course the fallout that has been sparked by their marriage is very sad for everyone involved.
“But as far as they are concerned, there’s nothing more to it — they are simply happy to be together.
“Any suggestion of any nefarious wrongdoing is cruel and utterly without warrant.
“It is mean and callous, and very hurtful to both Marta and Richard.”
On her LinkedIn profile, Marta lists her previous jobs, which include being a British Airways Executive Lounge hostess and event specialist.
She studied for a law degree at Spain’s Universidad de Valladolid from 1992 to 1998.
Marta — who also says online that she worked in entertainment and events with the BBC from 2007 to 2016 — started her role as a “caregiver” in September 2020.
She writes on her profile: “With over nine years of professional experience, my journey has led me to a fulfilling role as a care-giver, where I leverage my nursing and mental health counselling skills to provide compassionate care.
“Previously, as a BA Executive Lounge hostess at (catering giant) BaxterStorey, I honed my expertise in service excellence, blending hospitality with my background in aviation from the Heathrow Aviation Academy.
“I am committed to enhancing the wellbeing of those in my care, merging my market research acumen with a personalised approach to support.”
She adds that she is “part of a team that values dignity, respect, and empathy, aligning with my mission to make a positive impact in the healthcare field”.
After being dropped from his Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022, Steve was a frequent visitor to his dad’s home, according to fellow presenter and pal Paul Gambaccini.
Speaking about Steve’s axing, Paul said last year: “The BBC was the only place, as of now, where he could be Steve Wright.
“He loved the BBC because it allowed greater creativity.
“The reason he never complained during this two-year period is because he was the main carer for his dad, who is seriously ill and whom he would visit at least once a week. That took precedence over everything.”
Poignantly signed off
Steve’s career on BBC radio began in 1980 when he joined Radio 1.
Five years later he married journalist Cyndi Robinson, having met through work.
They had two children — Tom and Lucy — before divorcing in 1999.
By then, Steve had moved to Radio 2.
In 2022, when his hugely popular Steve Wright In The Afternoon show ended after 23 years, the DJ was said to have been “devastated”.
The station lost a million listeners after dropping Steve’s show — reportedly because he was “too old” — and replacing him with Scott Mills, 51.
Steve continued to host his Sunday Love Songs on Radio 2.
The day before he died, he poignantly signed off by saying: “I’m back for more Love Songs next Sunday . . . ta-da then.”
Just before his death, he had been planning to go for a lunch with his old Radio 2 colleague Ken Bruce to celebrate Steve having been awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for his services to radio.
Mobility scooter firm boss Laurence — who was close with his brother — suggested his death may have been the result of a poor diet and lifestyle.
Laurence said at the time: “He was aware that he could have looked after himself better, in his lifestyle choices.
“Obviously we all wish he had.”
He said Steve was “too busy” for home-cooked meals “so hence he would always eat out”.
Laurence added: “He wasn’t a massive drinker, he just used to drink a glass of wine when he ate out.
“He didn’t smoke, he used to smoke a few cigars a few years back but doesn’t smoke.
“He was just wrapped up in his job, and he loved it — that was the important thing for him.
“And other things that we all know is important, he didn’t consider that important, which is a shame really.
“Food or exercise is just something you do to have to live.
“Whether that had any effect on what happened to him ultimately, I don’t know.”