TV star Simon Townsend dead at 79 after cancer battle

Australian journalist and television presenter Simon Townsend has died, his family have confirmed after an aggressive cancer battle.

Australian journalist and television presenter Simon Townsend has died.

The TV star, 79, battled an aggressive cancer, before his tragic death was confirmed by his family on Wednesday after he passed away on Tuesday.

“In his final days, Simon was surrounded by his family and a mix of journalists, writers, actors, political activists and Italians,” his loved ones said in a statement.

“The conversation to the last was loud, passionate and full of laughs.”

Townsend made TV history and entertainned millions of children when he hosted the television show Wonder World.

The popular series ran from 1979 to 1987 and won five Logie Awards for Most Popular Children’s Television series.

Townsend had a four-legged sidekick known as Woodrow, who was a bloodhound and a TV favourite.

Wonder World also helped launch music videos of Australian bands including INXS.

Simon Townsend and Woodrow. Picture: Supplied

In 1983, Prime Minister Bob Hawke presented Mr Townsend with an award for his 1000th episode, for everything he had done for Australia’s youth.

Simon Townsend, television personality and show host, pictured with Bob Hawke.

The show’s reporting team included Angela Catterns, Jonathan Coleman, Edith Bliss, Hugh Piper, Sheridan Jobbins, Maurice Parker and Alita Fahey.

Simon Townsend, television personality and show host, pictured with colleagues and friends.

Radio host Amanda Keller had her “first job” on the show and paid tribute to Townsend after his death, saying: “‘Simon Townsend’s Wonder World!’ was my first job. I was a researcher there, and was lucky enough to work alongside some of the most talented people of my generation. Many of my closest friends today are from those days. I’ll be forever grateful to the show, and to the groundbreaking force that was Simon Townsend. My condolences to all who loved him.”

His family said that Simon, who was the show’s creator, was focused on mainiting its “boundary-pushing ethos”.

But he never wanted to “talk down to children”.

“Simon often found himself in a stoush with Australian children’s television regulators, fighting to maintain his show’s boundary-pushing ethos and preserve his children’s TV rating,” his family said.

Simon Townsend, television personality and show host, pictured in 1988.

“The edict to all involved in making the show was that they never talk down to children.”

Mr Townsend would end every show with a signature farewell: “And remember, the world really is wonderful!”

Simon Townsend was loved by many fans and his family. Picture: Sarah Rhodes

Mr Townsend began his career in Australian television in 1970 when he worked as a reporter for ABC’s This Day Tonight.

In 1967, started out as a young journalist who was a staunch objector to the Vietnam War.

Mr Townsend married to Rosanna, his first wife, who was “his soulmate, business and life partner, secretary and successful businesswoman in her own right,” the family said.

They had two children named Nadia and Michael.

While she died in 2003, he later reunited with Kerrie Gleeson, a previous partner, and they were together until she also passed in 2015.

He is survived by his three children, his brothers and his five grandchildren.

Originally published as TV star Simon Townsend dead at 79 after cancer battle