Wilbur Wilde will play a key role in the funeral of his friend and Hey Hey It’s Saturday co-star John Blackman.
Black man He died on June 4 at the age of 76, after a harrowing battle with cancer and surgery to remove his jaw.
The radio and television legend will be farewelled at a private service in Melbourne later this month, reports the Herald of the sun.
“I am honored that Cecile and Tiffany (Blackman’s wife and daughter) asked me to be the celebrant for my former friend’s farewell,” Wilde told the publication.
“He was a father figure, a hero, a comedy doctor, an attitude coach and a dear friend,” he added.
Wilbur Wilde will play a key role in the funeral of his friend and Hey Hey It’s Saturday co-star John Blackman. Pictured right with Eric McCusker
‘I’ve said it before, but not Blackers, not Hey Hey. She turned a children’s show into a very fun adult show. He paved that path for everyone else.
“It was still a great show for kids, but adults could watch it too because he would come in with his one-liners. He was beyond cheeky.
The Australian radio star died after a heart attack earlier this month.
Following the sad news of his passing, Hey Hey It’s Saturday star Marty Fields remembered John as a “master broadcaster and an incredible radio pioneer.”
“I am honored that Cecile and Tiffany (Blackman’s wife and daughter) have asked me to be the celebrant for my former friend’s farewell,” Wilde said. Blackman appears in the photo of Hey Hey, It’s Saturday
“I am very saddened by the passing of my former partner John Blackman. He was a master broadcaster, live performer and incredible radio pioneer,” he wrote on X.
‘His work on 3AW breakfast and of course as the wonderful booth announcer on Hey Hey. With love to Cecile and her family. A huge loss. Okay mate.’
Former Australian senator Derryn Hinch added: “Shocked and saddened by the death of John Blackman. He handled his illnesses with great bravery. We had some huge fights, but he was the fastest pickup man of all time. Valley.’
Nine entertainment editor Richard Wilkins also shared his condolences.
“I had the pleasure of working at Hey Hey many times over the years, and John was an integral part of the family,” he said.
“He was a father figure, a hero, a comedy doctor, an attitude coach and a dear friend,” Wilbur added.
Today Extra presenter Sylvia Jeffreys added: “John has a long legacy within Channel Nine working on multiple shows and is a legend on the comedy scene.”
Australian saxophonist Wilbur Wilde also said on Channel Nine’s Today Show that “without John there was no Hey Hey”.
“He was a wonderful husband, a wonderful son, a fantastic son-in-law and was loved by the entire Australian public,” she added.
3AW announcer Neil Mitchell remembered John as a “first class announcer”.
‘(It is) very sad to hear of the death of John Blackman. “He was a constant throughout my radio career,” he said.
Livinia Nixon, John’s former Hey Hey co-star, said ABCHe was an influential and supportive figure in the industry.
Following the sad news of his passing, Hey Hey It’s Saturday star Marty Fields remembered John as a “master broadcaster and an incredible radio pioneer.”
“I’m heartbroken for his wife and Tiffany, his daughter and everyone he cared for because even though he had a lot to do in recent years, from a health standpoint, he was the backbone of that family,” said. .
In a statement, Channel Nine and 3AW also wrote: ‘John Blackman’s legacy is one of laughter, dedication and a profound impact on Australian media.
‘As we remember his extraordinary journey, we celebrate the indelible mark he left on our hearts and the entertainment landscape.
‘He will be deeply missed, but his voice will continue to resonate in our memories.’
Meanwhile, Peter Ford paid tribute to the ‘incredible’ radio legend on Channel Seven’s morning show and told how John had passed away at home after going to rest.
‘John had arrived home and was resting yesterday afternoon. He came out to the kitchen and told Cecile, “I don’t feel so good.” I’ll sit on the couch,’ Peter shared.
In Hey Hey It’s Saturday, John (left) voiced legendary characters such as Angel, Mrs Macgillicuddy, Alfred Desk Mike and Charlie Who while winning legions of fans.
The journalist added that John had recently been told he had to undergo more surgery after his cancer had returned following the life-saving operation in 2018.
“He told me last week that he was going to have another surgery this Monday because something had come back and he wasn’t very excited about it,” he continued.
But they told me it wasn’t the cancer that had taken him. His wife Cecil called this morning to tell him the news.
He went on to praise John for maintaining his sense of humor during his difficult battle with cancer and paid tribute to the “beautiful performer.”
‘Australia is a sadder place with this news now. John was an incredible man, he was a beautiful performer on radio and television. In recent years he has given this incredible fight against cancer,’ he said excitedly.
‘His battle with cancer in which a significant part of his jaw was removed. She still left the house and found a way to laugh at things.
‘If someone was disarmed by his appearance, he would immediately make them feel comfortable. He had the ability to relax you and make you laugh.’
Following the sad news of his passing, Hey Hey It’s Saturday star Marty Fields praised John as a “master broadcaster and an incredible radio pioneer.”
The legendary broadcaster had a hugely successful radio career that spanned more than 50 years, but was best known for his character voices on the television variety show Hey Hey It’s Saturday.
John’s death comes just months after he opened up about his grueling battle with cancer, which saw him undergo a 12-hour operation in 2018 to remove his jaw.
In 2022, John faced a second battle when he was diagnosed with brain cancer, which was removed with a six-hour operation that left a titanium mesh plate in his head.
Not long before his passing, John was thought to have been told he had to return to hospital for further surgeries this year after his cancer had returned devastatingly.
He is believed to have died of a heart attack and is survived by his wife Cecile, whom he married in December 1972, and daughter Tiffany, 28.
John’s death comes just months after he opened up about his grueling battle with cancer, which saw him undergo a 12-hour operation in 2018 to remove his jaw.
Earlier this year, John bravely spoke out about his battle with cancer and his surgery, which saw his jaw removed.
The presenter was first diagnosed with a severe case of skin cancer known as basal cell carcinoma in August 2018.
The “really aggressive” cancer was discovered during a routine visit to her doctor to see if she had an inflamed pimple.
Later that year, John underwent a massive 12-hour operation to remove the cancerous growth from his mouth, and his jaw was replaced with a portion of his femur.
In January 2024, he told how his life changed after the operation, which removed the cancerous tumor but prevented him from working in front of a microphone again.
“When I went to see my surgeon to get the test results, he said, ‘Look, John, your life is going to completely change from now on,’” he told the Herald Sun.
Not long before his passing, John was thought to have been told he had to return to hospital for further surgeries this year after his cancer had returned devastatingly.
‘Professionally, financially and emotionally, it will never be the same. You will never work in front of a microphone again.”
He bravely told how the grueling operation could not strip him of his well-known sense of humor despite changing careers.
‘Everything the surgeon said has come true. Even now talking to you is painful. I can’t do what I love,’ John continued.
“Thankfully, I still have my sense of humor, they didn’t take it away from me.”
Just a few years later, in 2022, John faced a second battle when he was diagnosed with brain cancer and had to undergo another life-saving operation.
Another growth had sprouted “in a crater” as a result of one of the removal procedures and began moving toward his brain.
John admitted the cancer could have “killed” him and underwent a six-hour surgery to remove the “aggressive” tumor and was left with a titanium mesh plate in his head.
“That was the one that really could have killed me, because it was a very aggressive cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) that was growing right above my head,” he said.
JOHN BLACKMAN’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1969: Launches his radio career working at 2GN Goulburn.
1971: Joins 3AW in Melbourne as late night announcer on Nightline
1971: He begins to work as a voiceover artist on Hey, Hey It’s Saturday, where he would work for almost 30 years as an announcer and providing character voices.
1974: Hosts the morning show on 3AK
1975: Joins National Nine News as a presenter and daytime newsreader.
1979: Joins 3AK Melbourne to present the breakfast show.
1981 – Joins 3AW to present the breakfast show with Bruce Mansfield in what was considered one of Australia’s most successful radio pairings.
1997: After a hiatus from radio, returns to 3AK Melbourne as a breakfast show presenter with Anna Pinkus and Denis Donoghue.
2004: Joins Triple M Adelaide
April 2015: Returns to radio on MAGIC 1278 and MAGIC 882
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