‘Extraordinary man’: Former radio personality Mark Pedler dies after five-year battle with cancer

Mark Pedler, one half of notorious 1980s radio duo ‘Mark and Clark’, has died peacefully at 66 years old. He is remembered for his extraordinary charisma and “larger than life” personality.

Mark Pedler dies at 66 after a five year long battle with cancer. Picture: Supplied

“Look out heaven, it’s about to get loud!”

This was the final message from former radio personality and musician Mark Pedler before he lost his battle with cancer.

“He was larger than life,” best friend, Donna-Marie Hansen told The Advertiser.

“Nobody had an unkind word about him, he was a very selfless, loving, kind and funny person,” she said.

Mark, 66, died after a five year battle with stage four prostate cancer, a disease doctors believed would kill him in 18 months.

“He was big on fighting the cancer,” Ms Hansen said.

“Cancer did not cripple Mark’s love, it did not shatter Mark’s hope and it certainly did not conquer his spirit.”

Mark Pedler, who died of prostate cancer on January 3, with his doctor Hsiang Tan. Picture: Facebook

Mark Pedler was ‘larger than life’. Picture: Facebook

Starting out his career as an electrician, Mark found radio in the late 70s.

But the Riverland-raised man really began to dominate the sound waves in the 80s when he became a pillar of the 5KA station – hosting at different points with Greg Clark, Paul Barry and the late Di Stapleton.

Mark Pedler and Greg Clark were co-hosts on 5KA’s radio station Mark and Clark After Dark. Picture: Supplied

Mark was known as a “chick magnet”. Picture: Supplied

Mr Clark, who co-hosted ‘Mark and Clark After Dark’ evening show with Mark, remembers one day during the Navy’s 75th birthday celebrates boarding a chopper with Mark and landing on the back of HMAS Adelaide ship as it was moving along the gulf.

“We toured the ship and ate in the captain’s mess and spent all day at the captain’s bag.

“We had to go on air that night totally sloshed – don’t know how but we did,” he said.

The radio presenter remembers the “notorious” pairing broadcasting from a “haunted” house in Salisbury and the top of Maughan Church tower on Franklin Street while looking out for Halley’s comet.

“Oh yes, we had fun,” he said.

Mr Clark told The Advertiser Mark was “obliging, warm and funny”.

“He was a pleasure to have as an on air partner,” he said.

“Every radio pairing that has ever been has had some form of conflict at some stage,” Mr Clark said.

“But I have to say, we never had one argument, and I am a pain in the arse!

“He was such a joy.”

Mark Pedler who died at 66 of cancer, remembered as "a joy” to work with. Picture: Supplied

Mark Pedler with co-host Di Stapleton who also died of cancer a few years ago. Picture: Supplied

Best friend, Ms Hansen remembers meeting Mark when she was only 17 years old after she attended an under-age “rave” hosted by 5KA with her boyfriend at the time.

“I was one of the girl’s lining up to get both Greg Clark’s and Mark Pedler’s autographs and Mark came up behind the desk.

“He picked me up and carried me off the stage to my boyfriend and said, if you don’t want this beautiful girl, I want her,” she said.

Little did Ms Hansen know then, but 20 years later, she and Mark would reunite and date before deciding they were better off lifelong friends.

Ms Hansen said Mark became a “second dad” to her children, Nathan and Mikaela, who lived with Mark in the final moments of his life.

“He was popular with young girls because of his good looks and his charisma,” she said.

“He was what you would call a chick magnet.

“I was one of them.”

Mark Pedler had a passion for music and loved to play guitar. Picture: Supplied

Mark Pedler, age 66, with Mikaela Hansen, who says he was a “second dad” to her. Picture: Facebook

Mark Pedler with Mikaela Hansen. Picture: Facebook

Mark “loved music” especially, blues and rock.

“His trip to Mississippi made him glow with excitement,” his former radio partner said.

“That was a bucket list item 1 ticked off big time.”

“He loved playing guitar, his favourite band was the Rolling Stones, his favourite food was chocolate bullets and peanuts.

“For someone who was a rock and roller, one of his favourite movies was The Sound of Music, his favourite Christmas carol was O’Holy Night,” Ms Hansen said.

Mark was multitudes.

Mark Pedler in white shirt in centre with fellow announcers Greg Clark, Di Stapleton and Neighbours stars.

Born on March 22 1956, Mark died peacefully at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on January 3 2023.

“He was just an extraordinary man.”

Originally published as ‘Extraordinary man’: Former radio personality Mark Pedler dies after five-year battle with cancer