Molly Meldrum’s co-star issues rare health update as showbiz icon retreats from public eye

As the showbiz icon remains out of the public eye following a string of health issues, his co-star has issued a rare update.

Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum is reportedly “struggling” and was a no-show at a recent event celebrating the TV program that kickstarted his career in the ‘70s.

The music legend, 81, has largely retreated from the public eye in recent months, and was not present at this week’s launch of the special Countdown coin, an initiative between the Royal Australian Mint and the ABC in honour of the beloved music show’s upcoming 50th anniversary.

Countdown first premiered in 1974 and ran for 14 seasons, making a bona fide star of Meldrum as the show’s host.

Gavin Wood, who was the voice of Countdown, attended the launch at the Australian Music Vault in Melbourne on Wednesday, where he told the Herald Sun Meldrum was “struggling” amid his recent health issues, which began in 2011 when he acquired a brain injury after a near-fatal fall at his Melbourne home.

Molly Meldrum, pictured on his 80th birthday January 2023, wasn’t present at the event in Melbourne this week. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Countdown would not have happened if it was not for Molly’s enthusiasm and foresight,” Wood continued. “He lived it, breathed it, drank it, consumed it, everything.

“The fall, it is all down to the fall, was a horrible thing to have happened.

“He is 82 in January. He has been a public figure all his life and I think he is just enjoying a quieter life.

“He is still Molly, still interested in music and still has it turned up to 11. He is still naughty, he has still got that spark that we love, but I think he is enjoying life being a normal person.

“He would be chuffed to have something as beautiful and as imaginative as this recognising the show. He is my hero.”

A rare photo of Meldrum from April this year as the showbiz icon retreats from the public eye. Picture: Facebook.

Meldrum’s step back from the spotlight came after two very public incidents in early 2023. In January that year, he exposed his buttocks while onstage with Elton John for the UK singer’s Melbourne concert.

Meldrum later apologised for the move, saying, “I shouldn’t have crashed Elton’s show. As for my performance being more revealing than it should have been … well, at the start of the night, my belt buckle broke and my pants were already falling down. And on stage, one thing led to another.”

Meldrum pictured at Elton John’s concert in January 2023. Picture: Ian Currie

Two months later, while in the audience at a Rod Stewart concert in Melbourne, Meldrum allegedly pulled out his genitalia and relieved himself.

Shortly after footage of the moment emerged, Meldrum’s assistant Alan Evers-Buckland said the star was “embarrassed” by the incident.

“We have a dedicated and wonderful team of people that care for Molly,” he said at the time.

“Unfortunately you can’t control everything or see everything no matter how dedicated you are or vigilant you are.

“Molly is embarrassed and of course sorry. He has given so much. He needs our love and support.”

Originally published as Molly Meldrum’s co-star issues rare health update as showbiz icon retreats from public eye