Radio and TV personality, Bruce Mansfield, has lost his battle with prostate cancer

UPDATE: RADIO colleague Phil Brady has paid an emotional tribute to close friend Bruce Mansfield, who lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 71.

RADIO and television personality, Bruce Mansfield, lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 71.

He was a TV newsreader for many years before he and long-time 3AW co-host Phil Brady dominated Melbourne’s airwaves after joining together for Nightline and Remember When in 1991.

Nightline co-host Phil Brady said he was mourning his great mate.

Vale Bruce: Phil Brady remembers his long-time mate and colleague https://t.co/PULkrnmBKr pic.twitter.com/Y485nSIIXg

— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) April 17, 2016

“It’s come as a bit of a shock,” he said.

“I guess since September when he was diagnosed, we’ve been prepared for the worst.

“Although he struggled with the illness he came on air for quite some time while he was unwell.

Bruce Mansfield loses his battle with prostate cancer.

“The last time we saw him in the studio was about 6 weeks ago.

“I was with him only a week ago. I was shocked to see how thin he’d become. There was some hair loss too but he was very chirpy. Thankfully, he was pain free until the end.”

And even though they weren’t on air at the time, they still had their wonderful chemistry, Phil said.

Bruce Mansfield presenters on 3AW radio with Philip Brady.

“It was like we were on air,” he said.

Bruce was a week shy of turning 72.

“Thankfully he spent most of that time with his family and grandchildren,” Phil said.

“He was very passionate about his grandchildren, he was passionate about radio. He had radio in his blood.”

3AW's Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady.

Speaking to his colleagues on Nightline in February this year, Mr Mansfield said he was spending plenty of time with his grandchildren during his cancer treatment.

“I’ve been picking them up from kinder and taking to them to the park, reading to them and having a lot of fun,” he told his colleagues on 3AW Radio.

“They are my life at the moment, along with some pretty nasty treatment which has to be undertaken which hopefully will be working a miracle on things.”

Humble to the end, he was appreciative for the support he’d received from the duo’s wide fan base.

“Thank you to the people who have cared enough to write in, or people who have loathed me enough to say yes, we’re glad you’re not there.”

“Thank you for your love, support and wishes, they mean so much to me at this time.”

Coined as one of Australia’s most successful broadcasting duos, Mr Brady proudly reflected on their legacy together.

“We’re in our 22nd year together, which is surely some kind of a record,” he said.

“We went into it to have fun … every night was a party!”

As for the secret to their cult following: “We didn’t take ourselves too seriously.”

“We’re just a couple of mates having a chat, and the public are eavesdropping.

“We did offer a lot of people the consolation they weren’t getting from their family.”

One night Bruce even talked a listener out of suicide by reading a piece called ‘Don’t Quit.’

“We sent a lot of people to bed with a smile on their faces.”

“The program is almost a religion for some people.

Very sad news with the passing of Bruce Mansfield. He and Phillip Brady one of radio's greatest double acts on @3AW693 Nightline

— Brett Mcleod (@Brett_McLeod) April 17, 2016

Very very sad to hear of the passing of Bruce Mansfield.
A former @tennewsmelb newsreader & @3AW693 legend.

— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) April 17, 2016

3AW broadcaster Darren James worked with Mr Mansfield for more than 10 years and said he had fond memories of his colleague.

“Every show Bruce did was successful. He had a beautiful voice, he was a great presenter. He was passionate on every shift he worked,” Mr James said.

“He was a hard worker, very professional, he’d get to work early then we’d sit around after the show and mess around and laugh hysterically.”

Even though their breakfast radio laughs would often extend to the pub on a Friday evening after the show, Mr Mansfield was a devout family man.

“He was a family man with a lot of love for his wife Jill and his kids David, John and Louise,” Mr James said.

“One of the great broadcasters of Melbourne won’t be heard on the airwaves anymore.”

“The loyal listeners of Nightline will no doubt miss him terribly. It will be hard for them. He will be fondly missed.”

3AW Operations Manager Stephen Beers confirmed he’d spoken to Bruce’s wife Jill.

“Jill contacted me this morning, saying he’d passed away peacefully at home,” he said.

“Bruce has been an enormous slice of 3AW’s history.

“He mentoree people through the business and through the industry. He could be a gruff character; he was one of the funniest but always generous.”

As for the continuation of the program, loyal listeners need not worry.

“I can assure you Nightline will continue with Phil Brady.”

As for Bruce’s replacement, former program producer of more than 20 years Simon Owens will continue to broadcast with Phil.

There was a special edition of Remember When paying tribute to Bruce Mansfield last night on 3AW.