Australian radio and TV star John Blackman has died after a long cancer battle. He was 76.
Blackman famously provided the voices of the characters Dickie Knee and Plucka Duck on the long-running variety show Hey Hey, It’s Saturday! from 1971 to 1999.
The program made him a household name, and he returned for reunion specials in 2009 and 2021.
He also appeared in the Hey Hey, It’s Saturday! relaunch in 2010.
![Australian entertainer John Blackman has died, aged 76, it was reported on The Morning Show.](https://timesofsydney.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ba9ff154b3057023d1345300a2134949102a426c.png)
Ford said he was told of the news by Blackman’s wife, Cecile, who explained Blackman said he “wasn’t feeling well” before sitting on the couch.
The cause of death is believed to have been a heart attack.
“Australia is a sadder place with this news,” Ford said.
“John was an incredible man. In the past years, he has put up a huge cancer fight.
“He was a beautiful performer on radio and television, in recent years, of course, he’s put up this incredible cancer fight.”
Blackman spent his childhood in the Victorian suburb of Mount Waverley.
In 1969, he started his career at 2GN in Goulburn as an announcer.
He moved on to 2CA in Canberra, where he worked on air. He then moved to 3AW in Melbourne.
In more recent years, Blackman joined Triple M Adelaide as co-host of The John Blackman & Jane Reilly Show until December 2007.
He also appeared on Blankety Blanks, The Paul Hogan Show and Family Feud.
Ford reflected on Blackman’s time on Hey Hey, saying he was an integral part of the show.
“He was so sharp, so quick. You know, creating those characters like Angel and of course a bunch of others,” Ford said.
“In fact, I think John secretly loved it when something went wrong on the show.”
Ford went on to speak about Blackman’s battle with mouth cancer.
“He has talked about (this) very openly, and this was his cancer battle that saw them take away a major part of his jaw,” Ford said.
“Yet, John still got out and about.
“He could still find a way to laugh at things — and if anyone was disarmed when they saw his appearance, he would make them comfortable straight away.
“He just had this ability to not only just relax you, but also to let you have a laugh at it as well.”