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Aussie entertainment legend Jono Coleman dies aged 65

Jul 10, 2021

Jono Coleman at The BBC on July 27, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by SAV/GC Images)

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the death of Australian broadcasting legend, Jono Coleman, aged 65.

Jono died last night in peace after a four year battle with prostate cancer at the age of 65. His family have released a statement

“Jono and I have been soulmates for close to 40 years. We have been fortunate to live 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,” Margot Coleman, his wife said.

“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 he wanted.

Margot commented in her statement “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.”

“Such was the generosity and caring nature of the love of my life,” she continued.

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

His family members are already sending out their tributes and love online, with his son first with his tribute.

Love you dad. Rest in Peace @jonocoleman. pic.twitter.com/pxK0qCpNEt

— Oscar Coleman (@OscarBColeman) July 10, 2021

Jono Coleman will be remembered by many in Australia and the UK for his long and engaging media career that spanned television and radio. The shows he is remembered for include Saturday Morning Live, Sunrise, Late Night with Jono and Dano and Have a go. In 2015 he was awarded an OAM for his work in the broadcast industry and community. He has in more recent years appeared semi-regularly on Studio 10.

Jono leaves behind his wife Margot, and their two children, Oscar and Emily. The family thanked the doctor and nurses who cared for Coleman throughout his health battle. In lieu of flowers, they encouraged the community to donate to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research or Movember, both causes close to Jono’s heart.

LONDON – MAY 12: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Jono Colman and Dannie Minogue pose at the “Sony Radio Academy Awards” at Grosvenor House, Park Lane on May 12, 2004 in London. The prestigious awards are for national and regional radio stations, broadcasters in the public and commercial sectors, and radio stations’ digital and internet services. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

All of us here at Starts at 60 remember him for exactly what Margot says, his good deeds. I first worked with Jono on a bowel cancer live broadcast more than 6 years ago, where we together had to convince over-60s to use their bowel cancer tests. He made a terrific amount of fun out of a topic that would normally be taboo among all generations. In fact I remember us laughing about the poo test for almost an hour while the phones rang off the hook for Bowel Cancer test kits to be resent to over-60s who had thrown them out unused and now felt silly for it. Jono was able to break down any topic and bring humour and light to it. RIP Jono Coleman. Thanks for the entertainment.

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