Andrew John Wright

Suddenly in hospital in Southampton on 7th February 2025. Andrew aged 57 of Hedge End, West Ealing and formerly of Clayton-le-Moors. Devoted partner to Andy, beloved brother of Lynn, Julie and Carol and a much-loved uncle, brother-in-law, relative and loyal friend to many. Andrew was brought up in Adelaide Street, Clayton-le-Moors, and attended St James Infant School and All Saints C of E primary school. He was a choirboy at both St James Church and All Saints Church. Andrew then attended Moorhead High School before taking his A-levels at Accrington and Rossendale College. After three years at Manchester Polytechnic, earning a BA (Hons) in Library and Information Studies, Andrew moved to London to take up his dream job at the BBC Film and VT Library. He quickly moved into television production, working as a film researcher on “Clive James On TV” and then “Telly Addicts” at Pebble Mill in Birmingham, putting to good use all those childhood years spent watching television! After working on “The Rock N Roll Years”, Andrew moved into documentaries as a film researcher and archive producer, working on several social history documentary series – “All Mod Cons” and “Designing The Decades” – before working with documentary maker, Vanessa Engels, on several critically-acclaimed series like “Art & The Sixties”, “Lefties”, “Jews” and “Women”. In 2001, Andrew joined the team at the BBC’s flagship arts documentary series “Arena” and for more than 15 years, he worked on important documentaries about Francis Bacon, T.S. Elliot, Phil Spector, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour amongst others, and his favourite – “Amy Winehouse: The Day She Came To Dingle”. He also worked on the award-winning “Nothing Like A Dame” with Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright. More recently, Andrew used his archive expertise on television coverage of some of the UK’s most important national events including The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, and the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023, as well as the annual Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall. He was also an Archive Producer for the feature film “The Duke” starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren.

Away from work, Andrew was very close to his three sisters and loved spending time with them. They had memorable trips together to Morecambe, Whitby and Liverpool and further afield to Hannover and Jersey. Andrew also thoroughly enjoyed his (many) holidays with partner Andy. They discovered a love for Biarritz and the Basque region of south-west France in 2004 and Andrew found the beautiful Dingle peninsula in south-west Ireland through his work at “Arena”. Andy and Andrew returned to both places every year, making many lifelong friends along the way. As well as several trips to Tennessee and North Carolina in the United States, Andrew also had a passion for Spain and loved to stay at different Parador hotels right across the country. Andrew and Andy also made a point of enjoying Christmas markets every year around Europe, from Munich to Stockholm. Andrew was kind and funny and he touched the lives of so many people through his work and far beyond. He will be fondly remembered by everybody lucky enough to know him. Donations in lieu of flowers are being gratefully received on behalf of The British Heart Foundation & Cats Protection. To make a donation, please click the blue donate button at the bottom of this page. A donation box will also be available at the service. Please feel free to leave a message for Andrew’s online memorial book by completing the form below.

Karen Steyn
I worked with Andrew on and off from the early days of Watchmaker and Clive James on TV in the 90s up to Nothing Like A Dame in 2017. I would have liked to work with him after that but he was always so much in demand. He was kind, calm and funny. I’ll miss him. My thoughts are with Andy and his family.

Steph H
So sorry to hear of Andrew’s passing. I knew him when he worked on Telly Addicts at Pebble Mill. He was excellent at his job, and so knowledgeable and passionate about tv – which came in very handy on quiz nights in the BBC club. More importantly he was such a kind and thoughtful person. So sorry for your loss, condolences to his partner and family x

Mark Turnbull
My deepest condolences to Andy and to Andrew’s family. He will be greatly missed by myself, my partner Pascal and the very many people whose lives he touched. X

Anna Amico
I have known Andrew for over 20 years but was lucky to have worked closely with him in the last few years at the BBC. His Archive expertise was exceptional, but more than that he was a great friend. He was generous, kind and always great fun to be with. I will miss his friendship very much. My deepest condolences and love to Andy and the family x

Anna M
Dear Andy, my heart goes out to you for the loss of your soul mate. You and Andrew had a wonderful life together and brought each other so much happiness. I hope the memories bring some comfort and wish you strength for the future.

Sue Paz (nee Hendey)
Andrew was just the loveliest, kindest and most hilarious man. I loved our trips back to Lancashire from London during our Film with Jonathan Ross years. I’ll always think of you fondly and I’m sorry we lost touch in recent years and I never got to tell you how awesome I thought you were, though I hope you knew. Thinking of Andy, his sisters and the extended family at this most difficult time x

Sarah Davies and David Wright
Our thoughts are with you – Andy, Lynn, Julie and Carol. Words can’t express what we want to say. Whilst we never met Andrew, we always knew he was a very special man who we saw as completing Andy and their shared life. We enjoyed hearing about the latest holidays, sharing their love of Paradores and travel. Andrew won’t be forgotten and will be so missed. We send our love.

Moya Farrelly, Dingle, Ireland
My deepest condolences to Andy and his family. I met Andrew while working as a guest liaison for the Dingle International Film Festival and throughout the years we developed a lovely friendship and my dance partner at the festival closing parties. We indeed had the best fun ever! I will miss those nights but more so Andrew I will miss you and our chats over tea and soirées. Farewell dear friend x

Maurice & Cath Galway
Oh what can we say! The day you (first) came to Dingle! So began a deep and light, beautiful dance-like friendship… returning year on year to our festivals, and then, in between festivals… calling to our home, raising a glass or two, but always with a light and cheerful heart. Unbelievable then to think that heart suddenly stopped. May you rise over places you have visited. Our deepest condolences to all you have left behind, but especially to Andy.

Deborah
Andy, Lynn, Julie and Carol, words can’t express how I feel, to my dear cousin Andrew, you know how much Andrew meant to me, memories will never go away for me, Christmas at house, good times. Andrew was always the DJ at my house with all the cheesy music. I will always have my special memories of Andrew, good night and God bless you my dear cousin Andrew ❤️

Michael O’Callaghan
Hugs, prayers and condolences to you all on the death of Andrew. I used to love chatting with him and Andy whenever they came to Dingle for DIFF. A light has gone out in Dingle, but it will remain lit in our hearts. Rest In Peace. Andrew, Michael O’Callaghan.

Philip Abbott and Colin Pickles
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Andrew was such a lovely friend. We grew up only a few streets apart, went to all the same schools, in fact, we had so much in common, that is probably why we were still friends all these years later. We were so looking forward to seeing him in March for our usual day out. Our sympathies go out to you Andy and his sisters who he loved dearly.

Rebecca Hickie
Andrew was a friend and work colleague for over thirty years. Always fun to be with, kind and generous with his huge knowledge of tv. He will be so missed by us all. Sincere condolences to Andy and all the family.

Joan Davies
Andrew and Andy shared such a busy, happy life together. How sorry I am that the time has suddenly been cut so short. My thoughts are with Andy, Andrew’s sisters and all his family. Joan

Nancy
I had the pleasure of working with Andrew between 1997-1999 at Watchmaker productions where we worked together on Clive James projects. I was quite junior when I joined the company and Andrew was so kind to me. He had such a great sense of humour. It is so tragic that he is gone so suddenly, my thoughts are with the family. I am not sure if TV archive will ever have another Andrew.

Alison French
My deepest condolences to Andy and Andrew’s family. Andrew was a treasured work colleague and friend, forever remembered by his wicked giggle and love of life. RIP Andrew, you are so loved x

Kathy Manners
I was privileged to have been Andrew’s friend and I am missing his warmth, kindness and humour enormously. As a colleague in the archive world he shared his knowledge generously and made any TV production we worked on together much more fun. I will miss our Traitors viewing chats and cat updates. Huge condolences to Andy and his family.

Ms. Kalbir Dhillon
Andrew was an inspiration and a marvel. As an archive producer who grew up loving docs such as The Rock & Roll Years and Arena, Andrew’s name was seared into my memory and when I finally met him at the BBC he was lovely, kind and generous with his time and knowledge. He was a gentle man and a gentleman. He will be much missed. Much love to his partner Andy and to his family and friends.

Jeannie Clark and Rory Sheehan
We met Andrew 30+ years ago at the BBC Film Library and our paths crossed many times over the years in the world of archive telly. He was warm, generous and kind with a huge sense of fun. He’ll be much missed. Our hearts go out to Andy and his family and friends. With love and condolences.

William Shellard
It was a privilege to work closely with Andrew last year at BBC Events. His patience, dedication, and hard work were truly admirable, and his warmth and kindness made him a joy to work with. I always loved hearing about his travels, he had such a passion for his holidays, and I’m grateful for the stories he shared with me. Andrew will be deeply missed by so many. Rest in Peace x

Sue Edison
Deepest sympathy. I worked with Andrew for many years and he was always such a welcome presence. Calm, professional and organised. His loss, far too soon, is a great shock. Rest in peace, Andrew and God be with your family and friends.

Helen Hands
I met Andrew in 1994 when he joined our ‘Telly Addicts’ team at the BBC in Birmingham. His talent for finding archive was unmatched and he was a huge asset. He became the most wonderful friend and I will miss spending fun times with him and Andy. He’s going to leave such a gap in so many people’s lives and my