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‘Traumatic building nightmare’ sees fragile ex-TV star almost homeless

Once one of the most recognised faces on TV, former Channel 7 newsreader Mike Higgins is now all but homeless after an 18-month building nightmare.

Former newsreader Mike Higgins, once one of the most recognised faces on TV, is all but homeless after an 18-month building nightmare.

Mr Higgins, 76, who fronted Channel 7’s nightly news from 1969 until 1988, said the fight to have his shell of a home finished had drained his bank account and taken a greater toll than his seven-year cancer battle.

“It’s been tremendously stressful, more stressful than all the years of my cancer and bone marrow treatment,” he said.

If not for the kindness of friends, who had given him a room in their Eumundi home, Mr Higgins said he wouldn’t have a roof over his head.

Mike Higgins and Kay McGrath fronting Seven Eyewitness News in the 1980s. Picture: supplied
Mike Higgins and Kay McGrath fronting Seven Eyewitness News in the 1980s. Picture: supplied

He has been advised by his lawyer not to publicly discuss the construction ordeal, and that he has no legal redress to rectify the unfinished, uncertified, mouldy structure that will cost $70,000 to complete.

The divorced father of three sons has been on a disability pension since 2008 when he was diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which causes tumours and lesions on the skin.

“It’s true I’ve had a terrible time, but I think it’s always better for mind, body and spirit to accentuate the positive,” he said.

“I’ve overcome cancer and I’ll overcome this latest setback.

“Over the last year and a half, I was feeling pretty much alone until my friends stepped in to help and I am truly grateful.”

Friend Jenny Warner has started a GoFundMe campaign to help Mr Higgins end his “traumatic building nightmare” and repair his “fragile health”.

Mike Higgins
Mike Higgins

“I’ve seen numerous reports in the media of unethical behaviour in the building industry,” Ms Warner said.

“Mike was so trusting for so long. Unfortunately he’s lost almost everything. To me, it seems absolutely disgraceful.”

Ms Warner said Mr Higgins had supported many charities over the years and sponsored seven disadvantaged children overseas.

“Mike has always given freely of his money, time and assets to family, friends and even strangers in need. I think it’s his time to receive.”

Mr Higgins said he had found a new builder through mutual friends and was hopeful of eventually getting his small Sunshine Coast hinterland home finished.

In 2019 Mr Higgins, who always signed off the nightly news bulletin with a heartfelt “Goodnight and God bless”, travelled the state to promote his tell-all book, Trouserless Under the News Desk.

That same year, he was invited to return to Seven to present a bulletin with long-term co-anchor Kay McGrath to mark the channel’s 60th anniversary.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/mike-higgins-first-cancer-now-this

Former presenter Mike Higgins read the news again with Kay McGrath to mark Channel 7’s anniversary in October 2019. Picture: AAP/Richard Gosling
Former presenter Mike Higgins read the news again with Kay McGrath to mark Channel 7’s anniversary in October 2019. Picture: AAP/Richard Gosling

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/traumatic-building-nightmare-sees-fragile-extv-star-almost-homeless/news-story/9d68ec89db69d7332e3995fdb4409264