I know Steve loved it when I got on with being who I was and, my weekly 500 word blog post, was something I know he enjoyed me creating and crafting.

Saying something in an exact number of words is a challenge. It’s also something he did with flare, and ease, as the man who made, and grew, the brilliant and superb Sorted Magazine.

These 500 word blog posts are a part of who I am and I enjoy the challenge of not waffling – it’s a good focus and a great discipline. So, I’m going to keep doing what I usually do. I only hope I do both it, and him, proper justice. And those 500 words includes just the title and the text below as usual.

I’ve also included 2 video interviews we made with Steve on Pure247Radio, Andy Godfrey’s tribute – to his friend – and the foreword Steve wrote for my book just weeks before he passed away.

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What makes someone a friend?

My tribute to Steve Legg

Steve was a gifted encourager and he was my friend. Nothing complicated or fancy. Just a good friend you can trust – with a passion for a flamboyant shirt.

He was a man I wanted to learn from and our WhatsApp chats, which could easily spread across several hours in a day, only revealed greater depths of his excellence and passion in encouraging others.

I met him first, virtually, on a Live radio quiz where I was up against him every Friday. I lost badly each time. But, with Steve, it was great fun, and we made people laugh. I wasn’t much of a fan of quizzes, but that just didn’t matter.

I wouldn’t properly meet him and his wife – Bekah – until Spring Harvest 2023, when we met in the pub so he could also introduce me to Debra and Frank Green (“…some of our closest friends”). He loved introducing me to people he knew I’d also love.

When I told him we were planning on launching a brand-new radio station, his brief text reply encouraged us along – just when our uncertainty was greatest:

18/08/23: “Very exciting pal – go for it #BBR”

I sent him the title for my latest book and he immediately suggested a far superior one. I didn’t see what he had seen until the draft cover design arrived. His title wasn’t just a bit better, but better on 83 different levels, simultaneously.

Steve lived out how much he cared for others, so I wasn’t surprised when he asked me to tell him the moment my oldest son came out of emergency surgery.

Steve’s passion for the gospel was exactly who he was, and he loved partnering with others:

20/07/23: “Ask away – I’m a kingdom guy like you are. I’m not interested in empires :)”

Which perhaps explains why we got on so well – we both served the same Boss.

The day before he was rushed to hospital I knew he wanted to chat out some ideas he had – for us – for the future, and we had been trying to plan another breakfast and chat. I never found out what those ideas were, but I’m sure he’d have had me laughing again.

He cared through his actions, and he always helped me look back towards Jesus, making sure I knew I was “part of the team”.

Before our first time attending The Gathering – an event he told me “you must attend” he sent me this:

16/06/24: “Cheers my old pal. Looking forward to hanging out with #TeamBB next weekend”

Steve Legg was many things to many people including a funny guy they saw on TV, an escapologist, a member of the magic circle, a curry fan, a talented author, magazine editor, father, son and a husband. The list goes on and on.

But, to me, he was – and will always be – a man I simply called my friend.

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Some Pure247Radio video interviews

My interview with Steve Legg: October 2023 – on Steve’s life, faith and cancer diagnosis

Nathan Thomas’s interview with Steve Legg: December 2023 – on his book, The Last Laugh: Reflections of a funnyman with terminal cancer (available on Amazon)

Andy Godfrey’s tribute: September 2024

Steve would want me to take the opportunity to tell you to buy Andy Godfrey’s book, which he also helped get published: Faith on Film: A look at life and faith through the lens of the movies (available on Amazon)

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Steve’s foreword for my book “Pure 247: the birth of a global Christian radio station”

“Well, here we are! You’ve picked up a copy of this book—and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering how a family of everyday people could turn a “crazy idea” into a 24/7 global Christian radio station. Spoiler alert: It involves a lot of prayer, coffee, and probably doughnuts.

Let me tell you, Andy Berry and his family are living proof that if you have a vision, a strong Wi-Fi connection, and an outrageous dream, you can make just about anything happen. This is the remarkable story of a calling, a mission, and a full-blown adventure that would take them from brainstorming in the kitchen to broadcasting to the ends of the earth.

In the pages of this book, you’ll discover that the road to launching Pure 247 wasn’t always smooth. It was filled with ups, downs, and more technical glitches than you can shake a microphone at. But if there’s one thing you should know about Andy, it’s that he has the persistence of a dog with a bone—and he’s got an incredible family, The Berry Bunch (or Team BB as I like to call them), that’s equally committed to seeing this dream come to life.

They’ve managed to transform what could have been an overwhelming task into a monumental success story. They took a leap of faith, armed themselves with a never-ending supply of determination, and somehow made it work despite the occasional chaos. I imagine there were days when it felt like trying to herd cats, but they did it. They built a platform where the message of Jesus could be broadcast to every corner of the globe, and they did it with a smile, a sense of humour, and a lot of love for each other.

Their story is not just about starting a radio station; it’s about faith in action. It’s about believing in a vision so deeply that you’re willing to work through the late nights, the tech hiccups, and the moments when you’re just about ready to throw in the towel and switch to a quieter hobby—like competitive knitting.

As you read this book, you’ll learn about the nuts and bolts of launching a Christian radio station and discover what makes Andy and his family such a fantastic team. Their laughter, faith, and sheer determination are woven into every chapter, making this not just a guide but a journey of joy and inspiration.

So, buckle up and get ready for a story that’s as uplifting as it is entertaining. You’re about to embark on a ride through the creation of Pure 247, and I promise you, it will be both enlightening and fun.

Congratulations to Team BB for turning a bold vision into a reality that will inspire and uplift others worldwide. May their inspirational story motivate you to pursue your dreams, no matter how wild they seem.

Steve Legg
Founder and CEO – Sorted magazine