Tributes are pouring in for John Blackman after He died at the age of 76 after a harrowing battle with cancer and surgery to remove his jaw.
The Australian radio star died after a heart attack on Tuesday, according to The Morning Show reporter Peter Ford.
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 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.’
Tributes are pouring in for Hey Hey It’s Saturday star John Blackman after his death at the age of 76 following a heartbreaking battle with cancer and surgery to remove his jaw.
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.
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.
In a statement, Channel Nine and 3AW also wrote: “Throughout his illustrious career, John demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his craft.”
‘His remarkable versatility and long-standing presence in the industry underscored his exceptional talent.
‘Colleagues and fans alike admired his professionalism and the genuine kindness he radiated both on and off the microphone.
‘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.’
The Australian radio star died after a heart attack on Tuesday, according to famous The Morning Show reporter Peter Ford.
Meanwhile, Peter 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’m going to sit on the couch,” Peter shared.
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 that 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.
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.
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.