Television presenter Erin Jayne Plummer was loved by millions of viewers in Australia and beyond for her charm, cheerful nature and “megawatt smile”, attracting loyal audiences to the infomercials and popular fitness series she presented.
Away from the camera, the 42-year-old was described as a “gold medal mom” to her three daughters, who loved ones said she adored and were described as their mother’s “mini-me.”
But Covid brought hard times, and her friends said she struggled during the pandemic. In May 2022, after a long battle with her mental health, Erin took her own life.
She left behind her heartbroken husband Alan and three young daughters, while her passing also impacted countless loved ones, friends and viewers.
Just two years after Erin’s death, the Plummer family is hit by a second tragedy. Alan was found dead on Sunday under a cliff at Freshwater Beach, near the family’s Sydney home, and is believed to have taken his own life.
The couple’s three daughters, ages 18, 15 and 11, are now orphans.
Erin Jayne Plummer was a beloved Studio 10 host and was famous for her roles on aerobics television shows and infomercials.
The death of Alan Plummer leaves the couple’s three daughters orphaned
She was the host of Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The aerobics television series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40 million.
The eldest had just finished her final exams at high school and was celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday the night before her father’s body was found, a source told Daily Mail Australia.
Freshwater Beach, near the family home, had been Erin’s favorite coastal spot, and friends and loved ones gathered there to hold a dawn vigil in her memory shortly after her death two years ago.
Before his death at age 49, Alan had struggled with medical and mental health issues, a source told the Mail. His wife Erin was 42 when he died.
Friends said at the time that he had stopped being his “lively, energetic self” in the weeks before his death. “I wish we had found a way out,” said a friend.
Colleagues at Studio 10, where Erin became a household name as an advertorial presenter, said they would miss her “sunshine” in the studio and that the channel “lost a bit of its shine” with her untimely passing.
Erin broke into the television industry at a young age when she was selected from hundreds of beachgoers in Sydney’s popular Manly to star in an NBC television commercial as the “Face of Australia.”
The Australian Tourism Commission campaign also led to her being cast in Baywatch Australia.
She moved into television presenting, appearing on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and earned the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl’ in reference to the appliance company she often promoted.
She also hosted Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The aerobics instructional television series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40 million people at its peak and was broadcast in more than 80 countries.
If she hadn’t gone into television, Erin could have continued her sporting career: she represented Australia and practices surfing, lifesaving and synchronized swimming.
Alan and Erin Jayne Plummer pictured on their wedding day
Following his death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the Plummer family and raised more than $28,000.
She participated in three world synchronization championships and won 11 national titles, and was credited by a friend with encouraging her to pursue her Olympic swimming dreams.
Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop, Erin’s colleagues at Studio 10, announced the tragic news on live television.
“Erin was just a beautiful human inside and out,” her co-host Sarah Harris said as she paid tribute to her colleague.
‘We will miss your sunshine in the Erin Jayne studio, and all of us here send lots of love and strength to her family. “We will miss you very much,” said Sarah Harris.
Erin’s father Peter described his daughters as his ‘little mini versions of her’ and, speaking at her funeral, the presenter’s eldest daughter shared her grief at losing her beloved mother.
“Every day that goes by I still don’t believe he’s gone,” the 15-year-old said.
‘That a family of three girls will grow up without our mother. This is the thought I can’t seem to get over.
Erin appears in Studio 10. She was a talented athlete and also a television presenter.
Studio 10 and TVSN infomercial host took her own life after mental health battle, friends said
‘Mom was loved by everyone. She was selfless and gave her all to take my sisters and me to 40 activities each week.
“She brought so much light to the world that we didn’t realize her heart was hurting so much.”
The teenager concluded his moving tribute: ‘Mom, I hope heaven treats you better than we do. She is no longer ours, but we are hers forever.
Erin’s youngest daughter also spoke, telling those gathered: ‘My mom was the best person who ever lived. I will always love you very much mom.’
During her career as an infomercial host, Erin appeared on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, earning the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl.’
Following his death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Alan “keep the house running.” He raised nearly $28,000 and received a $10,000 donation from a single donor.
Neighbors also supported the family, cooking and bringing food after Erin’s death.
But it was her role as a television presenter for which she was best known. Over the years, he promoted everything from massage chairs and exercise programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.
When not in front of the camera, Erin also did countless voiceovers for television.
Alan was previously a director of a company called Shine VIP Tours Australia PTY LTD, which now no longer exists.
Erin came into the spotlight at a young age when she was discovered on Sydney’s Manly Beach and chosen for a tourism campaign that aired on NBC in the United States.
She had just sold the family’s four-bedroom home in Freshwater in September as she planned to move with her youngest daughter to Queensland to be closer to her middle son, who is studying at a school in the north on a sports scholarship. a source told the Mail.
The property, which was purchased by the Plummers for $675,000 in 2002, was initially put up for sale in March of this year, but sold for an undisclosed amount two months ago before going up for auction.
The tragedy has left the community in mourning, and locals are devastated for the three girls. “They’re good kids,” the source said.
“Their parents have dozens of friends and the community will rally around them.”
UK: For help and support, call Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
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