What’s the Buzz: John Fordham’s final deal for Wally Lewis

Celebrity agent John Fordham’s final deal – for a rugby league Immortal – was done from his deathbed just before he passed away. WATCH THE VIDEO

The late and great celebrity agent John Fordham did most of his business deals over a long lunch.

It can now be revealed his final one – for a rugby league Immortal – was done from his deathbed in a hospice just hours before he passed away.

The benefactor was none other than rugby league legend and long-time Fordham client ‘King’ Wally Lewis.

Late last year Fordham was in talks with Channel 9’s then sports boss Tom Malone to upgrade and extend King Wally’s contract with the TV network while he was gravely ill.

John Fordham's final deal was for Wally Lewis.

He was determined to get the deal done before he passed.

Fordham’s son’s Ben and Nick have now revealed a 40th birthday message their dad sent to Malone in his last hours, filmed on a mobile phone, included a plea for King Wally’s contract.

The footage is on our website, filmed at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon.

He died at seven the next morning.

“Tommy, have a fantastic 40th mate,” Fordham starts. “Mate, just one final consideration or gift for me as I go out one door, which will probably happen soon. If you could roll over Wally’s deal at $(amount deleted) you’d be doing me a great favour and I’ll move on a very happier man. Thanks mate, love you Tommy.”

The late John Fordham, with son Ben. Picture: Instagram

Weeks later, Malone signed off on the King’s new contract. No doubt that cheeky smile was beaming from up above.

The family has released the video to raise awareness for the Fordham Foundation, which supports research into head and neck cancer, the disease he fought bravely for three years. Nick Fordham, who now heads up the family business, said the deal meant so much because King Wally was so close to his dad’s late brother and renowned broadcaster David Fordham.

“It was incredibly personal because Dad was doing it for his brother as much as Wally,” Nick said. “Dad was gravely ill and always said he’d bypass the pipe and slippers stage of life.

“Yet he leveraged his own death for the benefit of someone else. Typical Jack.”

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: John Fordham’s final deal for Wally Lewis