Daryl Somers breaks silence after John Blackman's tragic passing
Hey Hey it's Saturday star Daryl Somers has broken his silence after the sudden death of his friend and colleague John Blackman.
Somers and Blackman worked together on the Nine Network variety show for decades, with Blackman becoming a household name for voicing the cheeky and loveable stick puppet Dickey Knee.
John tragically died at the age of 76 on Wednesday, after a lengthy battle with cancer and undergoing numerous operations on his face and skull to remove cancerous tumours.
Now, Daryl Somers has paid tribute to Blackman, reflecting on the hilarious times they spent together.
“He had a God-given talent to make people laugh, especially me,” Daryl Somers told the ABC.
The TV host said he was “devastated” by the death of such a “beloved friend”.
“He used to say his mission on Hey Hey was to break me up, and at times I’d be crying with uncontrollable laughter,” Somers said.
“Sadly, today, I’m just crying.”
Channel Nine and 3AW confirmed the entertainer's death on Wednesday, describing him in a statement as "a cherished voice in Australian media".
"John, renowned as the iconic voiceover artist for 'Hey Hey It's Saturday,' brought joy and laughter into countless homes every weekend," the statement said.
"His distinctive voice and quick wit became a hallmark of the show, endearing him to generations of viewers."
Image credits: Nine Network