The former Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright died from a ruptured ulcer in his stomach, according to his death certificate.

The veteran broadcaster, who died at the age of 69 in February, died from acute peritonitis and a perforated gastric peptic ulcer, the certificate seen by the BBC said.

Peritonitis is an infection of the lining of the abdomen, according to the NHS. A perforated ulcer is a rarer complication when the lining of the stomach splits open.

The Metropolitan police previously said Wright’s death at a flat in the Marylebone area of central London “was unexpected, but is not being treated as suspicious”.

Wright first joined BBC Radio 1 in 1980 to host a Saturday evening show and held various positions including an afternoon show and a breakfast show at the station.

He had a stint at commercial radio before returning to BBC Radio 2 in 1996 to host Steve Wright’s Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs and three years later began presenting Steve Wright In The Afternoon every weekday on Radio 2.

Wright stepped down in September 2022, replaced by Scott Mills in a schedule shake-up, but continued to present Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2.

At the time of his death, Tim Davie, the BBC director general, paid tribute, saying: “All of us at the BBC are heartbroken to hear this terribly sad news.” He added: “Steve was a truly wonderful broadcaster who has been a huge part of so many of our lives over many decades.

“He was the ultimate professional – passionate about the craft of radio and deeply in touch with his listeners.”

Ken Bruce, who spent three decades presenting the mid-morning time slot on Radio 2, said he was “totally shocked”.

“We were planning lunch to celebrate the award of his richly deserved MBE. An outstanding and innovative broadcaster whose listeners loved him. What a loss to the world of radio,” he wrote on X.

Michael Ball has since replaced Wright as the host of a Sunday love songs show, which has been retitled Love Songs With Michael Ball.

It was previously confirmed no inquest would be held into Wright’s death. Westminster coroner’s court said in a statement in May: “An inquest will not be required for Mr Wright. The coroner has now discontinued this case.”

Wright was made an MBE in the 2024 new year honours for services to radio.

• Steve Wright
• Radio 2
• BBC
• news