Radio star Robin Bailey embroiled in bitter family dispute since tragic death of husband Tony Smart

BRISBANE radio personality Robin Bailey is embroiled in a bitter family dispute since the tragic death of her husband Tony Smart.

ROBIN Bailey is embroiled in a bitter family dispute since the tragic death of her husband Tony Smart.

Tony’s father Max has spoken exclusively to The Sunday Mail, claiming the radio star has been making inaccurate statements publicly about the medical history of his only son, who took his own life on September 1 last year.

The 83-year-old, whose time with his grandchildren has been severely reduced since Tony’s death, said he made the decision to come forward independently after Bailey said Tony had a history of depression.

A statement released after Tony’s death said he had been suffering from depression, and Bailey said on-air after she returned to her breakfast show five weeks after his death: “Despite Tony taking his own life after struggling with depression, I do not want to become the poster girl for either.”

Mr Smart said that was completely false. His son did not have a long-term diagnosis for depression.

“I consider it to be cruel, callous, and an insult,” he said. “She makes such accusations about a person who is deceased, and cannot defend himself.”

While he said he fears speaking out may mean he will see even less of his young grandchildren, he says he cannot live on without “telling the truth”.

He said contact with their grandchildren had been extremely difficult since Tony’s death.

Mr Smart also said Bailey and his son had been effectively living separate lives for at least nine months, though still living under the same roof, at the time of his death.

Tony Smart.

While he should be enjoying his twilight years in peace, Mr Smart said he cannot rest while he feels his son’s memory is being denigrated.

“We will never know what drove Tony to the depths of despair,” he said. “(It was) so out of character for a man of high intelligence, strength, who had so much to live for. He had a heart of gold, was fun loving and had an infectious personality that drew people to him and had the respect of his mates, but that isn’t what is talked about.

“Tony is not here to defend himself, this is the only chance I have as his dad for the truth to be told.

“I know of no other person in radio or TV who has gone to the lengths she has to gain public sympathy. She has spoken (in public) about him five times. There has to be a reason why she keeps going on with this depression issue.

“Given she said she does not want to be the poster girl (for depression), she sure as hell is doing a great job so far to date.”

Mr Smart went on to say that Tony had revealed to him a crisis in the relationship which had left Tony devastated shortly before his death.

Bailey briefly touched on troubles in her marriage in a video interview with Mia Freedman earlier this year, saying: “I certainly know where we were at as a married couple and I know there were a lot of problems.”

“Tony is not here to defend himself”: Tony Smart’s father Max. PIC: Peter Wallis

On the anniversary of Tony’s death, Bailey took to her breakfast radio show to speak of his passing saying: “Could I have stopped it, what was different about the day, were there signs to predict what lay ahead and why, why would he do this to us — to me, his friends and family but mostly the kids and now 12 months on I know there are no answers. Tony’s decision was his and his alone but I can say the fallout has been catastrophic.

“As you can hear I am angry … angry at Tony for not realising the consequences of his actions because we will for a long time to come.”

Robin Bailey declined to comment.

If you need help call Lifeline 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636.