Rizna Mutmainah
TV

Daryl Somers drops big hint over Hey Hey It's Saturday tour

Daryl Somers, 72, was named Victorian of the Year during a ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday. 

During his speech, the TV veteran revealed that he was "serious" about touring highlights from his iconic show, Hey Hey It's Saturday.

“I’m seriously considering going out and touring with the archives because we’ve digitised well over 20 years worth of Hey Hey,” Somers revealed.

“There are some marvellous backstories to things that happened over that time.” 

The presenter accepted the honour for his charitable contributions and services to entertainment, after a nearly 30 year career on the show, which ran until 1999. 

He told the audience that he was a "performer at heart" and missed the excitement of live entertainment.  

During his speech, he also admitted that even though it was an honour to receive the award, it had come at a difficult time, following the death of close friend and former co-star John Blackman, who served as Hey, Hey’s voiceover artist for the show. 

Blackman passed away on June 4 after a battle with cancer. 

“It is an honour, I’m a born-and-bred Victorian,” he said.

“You think about the highs and lows in life and this is a high for me at the end of a rather solemn week.

“Last week, we laid to rest my dear friend John Blackman. John was a passionate and loyal Victorian as well.

“He is not here, but in part I’d like to dedicate this award to him because we had an endearing friendship. I love the guy – we went back over 50 years.”

Somers also thanked his team and his wife, Julie for supporting him throughout his career. 

The TV veteran was also involved with plenty of charities over the years including Lost Dogs Home, Kids Under Cover and Camp Quality. 

Images: Channel 9

Tags:
TV, Entertainment, Hey Hey It's Saturday