Stars come out to celebrate Derryn Hinch’s 80th birthday

‘Human headline’ Derryn Hinch has celebrated his 80th birthday in style, being serenaded by Rhonda Burchmore but also belting out You Are So Beautiful as his partner Lynda Stoner looked on.

Derryn Hinch's 80th birthday at the Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

The man famous for being ‘human headline’, Derryn Hinch had his 80th birthday marked in song.

Long time mates and dear friends celebrated the brilliant broadcaster at The Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, a day after his actual birthday which is February 9.

With Peter Sullivan on piano, Hinch was serenaded by Rhonda Burchmore, who sang You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, and Bob Valentine, who sang That’s Life – Hinch’s theme song.

Derryn with his partner Lynda Stoner at his 80th birthday party. Picture: Tony Gough

Derryn entertains the guests with a song and duet on the piano with music composer Peter Sullivan. Picture: Tony Gough

Hinch then surprised guests with an impromptu version of You Are So Beautiful as his partner Lynda Stoner looked on. Stoner and Hinch were engaged for a time in 1981.

“I was at Derryn’s 40th birthday which was at The Underground (nightclub), I was at his 50th and his 60th,” Burchmore said.

“I did not make his 70th because he was in jail and I am so happy to be here to celebrate his 80th.”

Melbourne’s original ‘Love God’, Darren James gently roasted Hinch over their many radio assignments during the 1980s.

Rhonda Burchmore performs, much to Derryn’s delight. Picture: Tony Gough

“It was never dull,” James recalled.

“There was the time we were nearly killed when we were bailed up by machine gun toting military in the Sudanese desert and then there was the time sat in the desert and interviewed Princess Ann.”

Guests included John and Cecile Blackman, Craig Willis, Tony Tardio, Annette Philpott, Dylan Weaver, the son of Derryn’s former wife, Oscar nominated actor Jacki Weaver, Alice and Kathy James, and Professor Bob Jones who performed Hinch’s lifesaving liver transplant in July 2011.

“There is an old joke that inside every old person is a young person saying, ‘what the bleep happened?’, and I can see that is true,” Hinch said.

“I used to hate the word lucky, but I have been lucky. I have had a fantastic life.”