3AW Remember When‘s Simon Owens has shared a tremendously moving Facebook post ahead of the first show tonight, Sunday February 16, after Philip Brady OAM‘s death.
Philip Stuart Brady OAM made it very clear that he didn’t want the public to know he was ill until after he had passed. But in our conversations he did say several times “Buddy, when I’m gone, tell them everything. Start on December 2nd and tell them everything that happened since then”.
I said “it’s a bit much and a bit personal” and he replied “Buddy, they deserve to know it all”.
So in advance, I’m sorry if anyone finds it upsetting or confronting, but it was Philip’s wish so I am honouring his request now by sharing with you in detail what Phil was personally struggling with over the last three months.
Philip was a bit odd. The very first thing he wanted me to say here was to give an apology. To everyone who didn’t receive a Christmas from him this year. It was something that really mattered to him.
The second thing was to tell you the date of his diagnosis so expectant Christmas card recipients would understand WHY they didn’t get a card.
Philip had been feeling a little unwell in late November and visited his doctor on Monday 2nd December. His doctor expressed a concern that it may be cancer and booked a series of tests. The full diagnosis came on the afternoon of Thursday 5th December, 2024. Cancer of the Pancreas which had metastasized to the liver.
He rang me that afternoon and said “Buddy, you’d better start looking for a new partner – I’m stuffed”
That very same afternoon, having just been told he was dying and had but months to live, he received a call from Taylor, the producer of the Denis Walter’s Program at 3AW. She explained that Jane Holmes was unavailable for her segment with Denis that evening and that Denis had asked if Philip was available to fill in.
Of course, Philip said yes. After all, it’s what he was born to do – entertain!
He came into the studio that night and brought a gift for Taylor and a bag of chocolates for me.
Denis’ opening comment in introducing him was along the lines of “Tonight, filling in for Jane is a man who, well, no one will be at his funeral because he will outlive us all”
I looked up in horror. Phil had sworn me to secrecy so I hadn’t told Denis. But Philip laughed. He didn’t miss a beat. He wanted me to include that story because he thought that was wonderfully amusing.
He powered through that hour. He was very quiet during the commercial breaks as one would expect. But on air he was brilliant, a true showman.
Two days later on the Sunday night he seemed a little different. A touch more frail. But I figured it was my imagination. He talked about Chemotherapy and said he was told it could give him another few months but he wasn’t sure whether to go with it.
On December 14th. A week after that, he definitely looked different. He’d lost some weight. But he was in good spirits. He was looking forward to our annual specials. Broadcasting for six hours on Christmas Eve from Carols by Candlelight, six hours again on Christmas Night, and 5 hours on New Years Eve.
That week he did say that he would not be replying to Christmas Cards. He just couldn’t do it. He wanted to but he was struggling. He was quite distressed, not about his condition, but about the unanswered cards and what his fans would think. Some of those people would have received cards every year for 40 or 50 years. It was something he was very proud of. No fan mail ever went unanswered. Three things mattered to Philip – his Dog, his job and his fans. They gave him a reason to live.
That week I was called to Philip’s house for a meeting with Tobin Brothers, his Priest, and myself to get his funeral sorted. Phil was very thorough and very clear with what he wanted.
In between hospital visits he would keep me updated on which guests he was booking in for the annual special shows and Remember When . He knew that if he could just do this week’s show, then there would be a chance he could also do next week’s show.
He realised with great sadness that there was no way he could make it to the outside broadcast van at Carols by Candlelight on December 24 and reluctantly told our boss Steven Beers that he wouldn’t be doing the show. He wanted to conserve his energy for the Christmas night special. Again, on Christmas night he asked if I thought he was wrong not to reply to the Christmas cards. I assured him it was fine.
We explained on air that his mobility issues were the reason he wouldn’t be doing the Carols broadcast. It was true, but he was still insistent that he didn’t want to let people know he was also ill. He didn’t want sympathy or the show to become about his health.
He stoically powered through the Christmas Night special but by 10.30pm he was exhausted. So we played Bing Crosby’s “Small One” which runs about 10 minutes to give him a break. He rallied and came back from the couch at 11pm and completed the last hour.
Those who knew how unwell Philip was said that he shouldn’t be allowed to broadcast and that it was wrong to make a sick man work. We copped a bit of flack for that. But if you knew Phil, taking that decision away from him would be the worst thing you could do to him. It gave him a purpose.
On New years eve Phil had lost more weight and was quite weak. We played a few “highlights” from the year to give him a break or two. Again, he powered through, joking, performing, giving, working.
By this stage he needed a break.
In his last two Sunday Nights on air hosting Remember When, January 5th and 12th he sat on the couch in the foyer during the 11pm news and the musical montage. He would come back on air after a 15 minute break and, as always, nail the last 45 minutes of the shows.
On Tuesday 14th of January Phil went to hospital. He was struggling to breathe and his heart was racing. He never went home.
That evening, as I filled in on the overnight show, Philip underwent a few small procedures in hospital. Regular contributor to that show Nathan Koch joined me from 12am to 2am. During the 2am news Nathan received a call on his mobile from Philip. Thanking us for a wonderful show which gave him something to focus on whilst going through those uncomfortable and embarrassing procedures.
On Sunday 19th Andrew McLaren filled in hosting Remember When. I asked what Phil wanted me to say on air. “Tell them I’m just having a night off – but don’t tell them I’m crook” So we did.
The following Sunday, Australia Day, he said “Tell them I’m on an extended break and should be back soon”
The following Saturday, February 1st I dropped in to see him, now in Palliative Care. Philip said “I guess you better tell them I’ve retired”. It was then that we recorded the little grab him announcing his retirement. He didn’t want to originally. His breathing and voice weren’t normal and he still didn’t want his fans to know he was unwell. But I told him we could do as many takes as he wanted and I could edit it to make it sound natural. So he reluctantly agreed. And as always, it was done in one take.
Phil’s retirement announcement aired at 10.50pm on February 2nd and prompted a full board of sad callers and was widely reported in the media on Monday morning.
I visited him at 11am, 12 hours later to find he was quite distressed as he had received dozens of calls and almost 100 text messages from people wishing him well. His distress was caused by his inability to reply (Just like the Christmas Cards). He no longer had the strength. So, I read each message to him, he dictated his response, and I typed and sent personalised text messages. Again it was important to him that no fan mail went unanswered, even texts.
I dropped in to visit him on Wednesday and again found him distressed. There had been many more messages and missed calls. So we repeated the process. I assured him I would drop by and do the same each day on my way to work. Finally he relaxed. But Philip had 22 visitors on that Wednesday and he was exhausted. So the next day he ceased taking visitors. So I explained to his wonderful friend Char who was looking after him what I had been doing during the hospital visits and she allowed me to see Phil and continue with his text messaging.
On Friday, Phil dictated the last replies to me with a weaker and raspier voice.
It wasn’t easy reading the messages, some knew he was ill. Others didn’t. It was hard to read messages saying “Let’s catch up for lunch are you free on Wednesday?” to a man who may not be alive by then.
But Phil would dictate “Sounds lovely, a bit busy this week. I’ll be in touch”
On Saturday, when I sat down to read his messages he lay there with his eyes closed and said “Buddy, I trust you. I’m listening to every word you read me, and it’s lovely, but you just write what you think is best. You know what I would say. (His energy and our time together running out)
So I read the messages, and told him what I was writing in reply, putting on my best Philip Brady impersonation.
On Sunday Phil greeted me by opening his eyes, smiling slightly and nodding. He could no longer speak.
I read him his messages, and told him what I was replying. I only know he was listening intently because one text contained a picture and he opened his eyes to look at it. So right up until Sunday Phil heard every message that was sent to him.
When I left the room he didn’t have the energy to even blink farewell.
On Monday morning, Philip’s phone was turned off for the final time. His breathing had changed, and I don’t know if he even knew I was there. I passed on a few messages from friends and colleagues I had heard from.
Then after a few minutes of silence, listening to his breathing I quietly left the room and headed off to work. After 30 years we’d said our last words.
He slipped peacefully away just after midnight.
I’d like to think he’s reminiscing with Bruce (Bruce Mansfield) now but they’re both probably hanging out with Queenie.
Remember When is on 3AW from 9pm till Midnight Sunday nights.
There will be a concelebrated Funeral Mass and celebration of life for Philip Brady which will be webcast at Sacred Heart Church, Cotham Road, Kew on Thursday 27th February 2025 at 11.00am. It was his wish that Philip Brady Badges be worn and ladies encouraged to wear hats. To access the webcast please visit: https://www.tobinbrothers.com.au/