The veteran broadcaster died this week at the age of 69, the corporation announced on Tuesday.

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Police and paramedics had been called to a flat in the Marylebone area of central London on Monday morning.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “A man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

“The death was unexpected, but is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said paramedics were called to the address following “reports of an incident”.

The spokesperson added: “We sent a number of resources to the scene.

“Very sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.”

It comes as his pals said that Steve “died of a broken heart” after being dumped by the BBC.

They said he never got over being axed from his Radio 2 afternoon show after 24 years.

Yesterday there was a backlash against the BBC boss responsible for the scheduling shake-up.

In a tribute Helen Thomas called Steve “second to none” — less than 18 months after taking away his hugely popular show in 2022.

Celebrity publicist Gary Farrow revealed his friend of 40 years was “devastated” to lose his massively popular Radio 2 slot two years ago.

Gary blasted BBC bosses who deemed Steve “too old”, saying there was no one more “current”.

He added: “Steve lived for that show, he absolutely loved it – and the listeners loved him. My view is that he died from a broken heart.”

Listeners and BBC staff were left enraged yesterday at a “gushing” tribute from station boss Helen Thomas, who got rid of Steve and his popular colleagues Paul O’Grady and Ken Bruce.

Steve’s departure from his show after 24 years led to Radio Two shedding a million listeners.

Gary told how his “painfully shy” friend “needed an arm round the shoulder” from his bosses — but it never came.

He said: “From what I know, he didn’t have any real medical problems – he was always taking ­vitamins and popping pills.

“Sure, he didn’t really eat broccoli and he liked McDonald’s, but he was such a character, the likes of which I don’t think we will see again. He would spend hours and hours researching before a show, checking out guests and doing his homework. Radio was his life.

“He was Mr Showbiz. He was the first to discuss and champion new books, films, records and TV shows, and so progressive in that respect.

“So quite how the BBC could decide he was ‘too old’ or not ­current enough is a joke.

“There was no one more current or on the pulse than Steve. There was no one more relevant.”