Today show star Dr Ric Gordon, who delivered first baby on Australian television, dies of pancreatic cancer aged 69

A radio veteran and beloved Australian author has revealed the touching act a respected doctor and Today show star performed for her, paying tribute to the TV icon after his death at age 69.

A veteran doctor who delivered the first baby on Australian television has died aged 69.

Dr Ric Gordon was a regular guest on the Today Show talking sharing his expertise as an obstetrician and fertility specialist.

In a touching tribute, veteran radio host and beloved Australian author Wendy Harmer revealed Dr Gordon delivered both her babies even after she and her partner dropped out of IVF.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) she wrote: “He was a pioneer in IVF in Australia and gave hope to so many... and was kind and caring professional. Vale.”

And, yes, I do know he ran into some controversy - but that was a small part of his stellar career as a specialist in infertility and obstetrics.

— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) May 25, 2024

Nine News confirmed the “sad news” of Dr Gordon’s passing from pancreatic cancer on Saturday.

Presenter Georgie Gardner said “he will be deeply missed” during Saturday’s broadcast.

Professionally known as Dr Ric Porter, had previously hosted Nine’s long-running lifestyle hit of the 90s Good Medicine, which ran for nine years.

Dr Gordon was a part of the team of doctors who delivered the first IVF birth in NSW in 1983.

Long-time Today show contributor Dr Ric Gordon has died of pancreatic cancer. Picture: TODAY

Dr Gordon presented the long-running lifestyle program Good Medicine which ran on the Nine network for nine years. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

During his career, he delivered more than 5000 babies, including in 2003 when he safely delivered a baby live on the Today show.

Former host Tracey Grimshaw was inside the delivery room at the at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital as Dr Gordon explained the caesarean procedure.

In 2022, Dr Gordon told Today viewers it was an extraordinary moment in television.

“It went so well, it was a great morning and a good outcome,” he said.

“The baby cried when it was meant to cry, mum and dad were happy.

“And Tracey (Grimshaw) was quite emotional over it all.”

The well-known doctor also drew some controversy over his career, including an offensive analogy where he used concentration camps to explain weight loss on the same breakfast TV program in 2015

Despite apologising, the remark drew criticism from Australia’s Jewish community.

Dr Gordon was a well-known health contributor on the Today show. Picture: Adam Taylor

Dr Gordon (pictured on Channel 9) delivered thousands of babies over his career, including the first IVF birth in NSW in the 1980s. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9