Aussie TV presenter Simon Townsend dies aged 79

An Australian TV presenter and journalist has died after he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.

Australian TV presenter and journalist Simon Townsend has died at the age of 79.

Townsend, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, died on Tuesday.

In a statement, his family said: “In his final days, Simon was surrounded by his family and a mix of journalists, writers, actors, political activists and Italians.

“The conversation to the last was loud, passionate and full of laughs.”

Australian journalist Simon Townsend has died at the age of 79. Picture: Supplied

Townsend had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Picture: Supplied

Townsend hosted children’s entertainment TV show Wonder World, which ran between 1979 and 1987 and won five Logie Awards.

“Simon often found himself in a stoush with Australian children’s television regulators, fighting to maintain his show’s boundary-pushing ethos and preserve his children’s TV rating,” his family’s statement read.

“The edict to all involved in making the show was that they never talk down to children.”

Townsend was also known for a stint in jail that sparked protests across Sydney.

Townsend hosted the children’s TV show Wonder World. Picture: Supplied

Townsend also sparked protests after he was jailed for being a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. Picture: Supplied

The journalist was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and spent a month in Long Bay jail as a result.

Australian TV presenter Amanda Keller farewelled Townsend in a moving tribute on Instagram, revealing her first job was on Wonder World.

“I was a researcher there, and was lucky enough to work alongside some of the most talented people of my generation,” Keller wrote.

“Many of my closest friends today are from those days. I’ll forever be grateful to the show, and to the groundbreaking force that was Simon Townsend.

“My condolences to all who loved him.”

Journalist Michael Smyth also issued a heartfelt tribute on social media and referred to Townsend’s iconic Wonder World sign-off “the world really is wonderful”.

“Sad to hear of the passing of Simon Townsend,” Smythe posted to X.

“Always loved watching Wonderworld and dreamed one day of being a reporter.

“And remember, the world really is wonderful.”

Others flocked to social media to farewell the iconic TV presenter.

“Vale to a hero,” one wrote.

“Vale Simon Townsend. As a child of the 1980s, his show Simon Townsend’s Wonder World was a staple of our afternoon viewing,” another posted.

Originally published as Aussie TV presenter Simon Townsend dies aged 79