Jonathan Coleman: Australian radio and television personality dies aged 65 | TV & radio
Australian radio and television personality Jonathan Coleman, who had a career spanning decades in Australia and the UK, has died at the age of 65.
Coleman, who is survived by his wife, Margot, and their two children, has died after a five-year battle with prostate cancer.
Coleman’s career began in Australia in the late 1970s on the reporting crew for the afternoon children’s television show Simon Townsend’s Wonder World.
He worked as a DJ and presenter on Triple J, moved to Triple M with Ian “Dano†Rogerson, and hosted the Saturday Morning Live musical television show on Channel Seven.
Coleman, who was born in Hackney, London in 1956, had a career that included 16 years in the UK, where he was a prominent radio presenter on Virgin Radio, London’s Heart 106.2 and the BBC.
He told the BBC he returned to Australia in 2006 to be closer to his 81-year-old mother Sylvia in Sydney.
Coleman’s wife, Margot, said after his death: “Jono and I have been soul mates for almost 40 years. We have been fortunate to have lived a rich and wonderful life and I have been fortunate enough to closely observe someone with tremendous talent and the special gift of making people laugh.
“I will miss him beyond words and with the support of our wonderful children, Oscar and Emily, and their partners, we will continue to live the way he wanted.”
She said he died with his wife and children by his side.
Vale, Jono Coleman.
The most eternally effervescent man I have ever met.
He could have made happy bubbles for Australia, and he actually did.
Condolences to the family. https://t.co/Dg4COWMMdz– Peter FitzSimons💉 (@Peter_Fitz) July 10, 2021
Very shocked to learn of Jono Coleman’s death. Such a great career on TV and radio here and in the UK A very nice guy to boot. I never called him, no matter what he did. Condolences to his family.
– Peter Ford (@mrpford) July 10, 2021
Coleman, who received an OAM for his broadcast services in 2015, was most recently a presenter on Studio 10 on Channel 10. He has also appeared on Channel Nine’s Hey Hey It’s Saturday and Wavelength and Channel Seven’s Have a Go. He was Channel Seven’s London correspondent for Sunrise.
He released a comedy album, Jonathan Coleman’s Polka Project, narrated the children’s TV show The Koala Brothers, and appeared in the film Young Einstein..
Margot Coleman said: “When I recently asked Jono how he wanted to be remembered, he replied,” For doing a good deed every day “. Such was the generosity and caring nature of the love of my life.
“We will find the time to reunite all of her loved ones to celebrate her life when circumstances permit. “