Broadcasting legend Jonathan Coleman OAM dies, 65

Australian radio and television presenter, Johnathan ‘Jono’ Coleman, has died aged 65.

The popular media personality passed away peacefully at his Sydney home on Friday, July 9, four years after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

Born in London, Coleman emigrated to Australia with his family and began his broadcasting career as a reporter for television show Simon Townsend’s Wonder World, before spending several years as a DJ and presenter with triple h alongside co-host Ian Rogerson.

Coleman and Rogerson would later join Triple M in 1984 and went on to launch the Seven Network’s music television programme Saturday Morning Live in 1988, with Coleman moving to pursue a career in the UK after the show was reformated the following year.

During his 17-year tenure abroad, Coleman asserted himself as a fixture on the British airwaves, hosting breakfast shows for BBC GLR, Virgin Radio, Heart 106.2 and BBC London 94.9.

Upon returning to Australia in 2007, Coleman presented Australian Radio Network’s drive time show The Jonathan Coleman Experience on WSFM and reunited with Rogerson to present The Jono & Dano Show.

Coleman was also a regular reporter for Sunrise and Studio 10, and frequently appeared as a correspondent for international crossovers from the UK for Australian television.

Coleman was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his services to broadcast media and the community.

In 2018, Coleman revealed to 2GB’s Steve Price that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy, reporting later in December to Stars at 60 that he was cancer-free and continuing to partake in preventative treatment.

Coleman is survived by his wife Margot Fitzpatrick and his two children, Emily and Oscar.

In a statement, Fitzpatrick described Coleman as her “soulmate for close to 40 years”.

“We have been fortunate to have lived a rich and wonderful life and I have been lucky enough to watch up-close someone with enormous talent and the special gift to make people laugh.

“I will miss him beyond words and with the support of our gorgeous children, Oscar and Emily, and their partners, we will continue to live in the manner that he wanted.

“When I asked Jono recently how he wanted to be remembered, he said ‘for doing a good deed every day’, such was the generosity and caring nature of the love of my life.

“We will find the time to bring together all those close to him to celebrate his life when circumstances permit.”