Hey Hey It's Saturday star John Blackman dead at 76 after cancer battle

Legendary radio and television star John Blackman has died age 76 following a high-profile battle with cancer.

John Blackman has died age 76. Picture: Facebook

Legendary radio and television star John Blackman has died age 76.

The Hey Hey It’s Saturday star died on Tuesday after a heart attack, according to The Morning Show reporter Peter Ford.

Blackman begun his career in the late-60s but rose to prominence because of his voiceover work with the Channel 9 series.

He was best known for his portrayal of character Dickie Knee, an icon of Australian culture at the time who would crack jokes with the presenters.

John Blackman (right) with Andrew Fyfe and Daryl Somers. Picture: Supplied

After 50 years in the entertainment industry, Blackman stepped back from the limelight after a gruelling cancer battle in 2018 that included surgery to remove his jaw.

In 2022, Blackman faced a second battle with cancer when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Blackman voiced the famous Dickie Knee character.

Morning Show entertainment editor Peter Ford confirmed Blackman’s death on Wednesday, noting “Australia is a sadder place” with his passing.

“John was an incredible man, he was a beautiful performer on radio and television,” Mr Ford told the Morning Show.

“You could always rely on John Blackman to save a situation.”

Blackman had worked for many years on breakfast radio alongside Bruce Mansfield and Darren James in Melbourne.

Mr Ford said Blackman’s “incredible cancer fight” was a long journey, which included part of his jaw being removed.

“He’s talked about it very openly,” he said.

“He still got out and was able to laugh at things. If anyone was disarmed when they saw his appearance, he made them comfortable straight away.

“He had this ability not only to relax you but also to let you have a laugh as well.”

It’s understood Blackman died of a possible heart attack at home.

Entertainment personality and friend Derryn Hinch took to social media on Wednesday to mourn Blackman.

“Shocked and saddened by death of John Blackman. He handled his illnesses so bravely,” he said.

“We had some huge rows but he was the fastest ad lib man ever. Vale.”

TV presenter John Burgess also paid tribute to Blackman for being a “ comedy genius in a number of forms”.

“Lots of great memories working with and watching John,very sad day,” he wrote on X, formally Twitter.

“RIP mate.”

Former state MP and 3AW personality Heidi Victoria, who co-hosted the Blackers and the The Snapper podcast with Blackman, said he was “he was irreverent, his timing was always perfect, absolutely legendary, he had a sense of humour from here to the moon”.

“You work with lots of people over a lifetime, and then you meet and work with somebody who you just click with, and there was something about John,” Ms Victoria said.

Originally published as Hey Hey It's Saturday star John Blackman dead at 76 after cancer battle