Celebrity

Australia mourns the loss of veteran radio personality Doug Mulray

Mar 31, 2023

Fans joined colleagues in mourning the "giant of radio" while recalling some of their favourite memories from his stellar career. Source: Getty Images.

Australia is in a state of mourning following the passing of veteran radio identity Doug Mulray on Thursday, March 30 at the age of 71.

Mulray, or “Uncle Doug” as he was known by his loyal fanbase, passed away in a Sydney hospital and although no cause of death has been revealed it is believed he was suffering from poor health for some time.

Born December 1, 1951, Mulray first took to the airwaves at 2AD in Armidale, after completing a broadcasting course.

From there he secured a role with Central Coast station 2GO Gosford and in the 1970s joined 3AW Melbourne with a program called Mulray & The Man where he gained popularity.

In the late 1970s, he took on a permanent position in Sydney with the ABC’s alternative rock station 2JJ, which later became Triple J. Mulray built a considerable fanbase while with the station.

In 1982 he began work with the newly formed Triple M, where he spent the majority of his radio career.

Following his success at Triple M, Mulray worked in the PM drive slot on 2SM alongside Peter Fitzsimmons and Sydney radio station 2WS before hanging up his microphone in 1999.

In addition to his successful career in radio, Mulray enjoyed a degree of fame on Australian television with hosting duties for shows such as the self-titled program Mulray in the early 1990s and Beauty and the Beast for Network Ten in 2002.

In 1992, Mulray hosted the short-lived Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos which went down in infamy after it was pulled from the air 34 minutes into broadcast after Kerry Packer was appalled by the show’s content.

Mulray was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards in 2019.

As news broke of Mulray’s passing, fans joined colleagues in mourning the “giant of radio” while recalling some of their favourite memories from his stellar career.

Vale, Doug Mulray.
Passed away overnight, after long illness.
An iconic radio man, his particular ability was to be wildly hilarious while right on the edge & never blink. Privileged to co-host with hims for a couple of years.
The love of his life was Miss Lizzie.
Condolences.

— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) March 30, 2023

Doug Mulray has died at age 71. I loved Uncle Doug. His breakfast show @TripleMSydney was an essential part of my mornings in the early 90s before school. I listened every day and often recorded it and listened again later. His last show, July 1992, was a classic. #vale #Sydney pic.twitter.com/fMFt7qBfy3

— Troy Bramston (@TroyBramston) March 30, 2023

#RIp Uncle Doug Mulray dead at the age of 71.
A giant of radio. pic.twitter.com/Ulw09uU1E8

— Geoff Field ???????? (@GeoffField) March 30, 2023

I adored Doug Mulray.
A card-carrying ‘Doug addict’, he’d have me laughing before I was properly awake each day.
After I got into radio I finally met him.
He was more adorable, funnier, wiser & gentler in person. Hanging with him was the best. Vale Dougie ????
So sad for Lizzie.

— [email protected] (@DebSpillane) March 30, 2023

Very sad news this morning that radio legend Doug Mulray has died. Going back to to the 80s and 90s he ruled the airwaves and really pushed the limits. Lit up a lot of lives.

— Peter Ryan OAM (@Peter_F_Ryan) March 30, 2023