Last time we ran an update on Darrell Eastlake was back in 2011 and things weren’t looking too good for the Big Fella. He was battling Alzheimer’s and emphysema. The Daily Telegraph reported in 2010 that the legendary radio and Channel Nine sportscaster would“be lucky to see out the year.”
We are pleased to report that Big Darrell’s still at the crease, batting (and battling) and has been “lucky” enough to see out five years and counting.
After hearing on the grapevine that Darrell had passed away, Ross Thompson, a 40 year veteran of radio and television on the Gold Coast decided to do some digging to find out the for sure. With some help from ex-sports caller and 4BC talk personality, Ian Maurice, Ross was able to tell radioinfo, “It seems there are many people interested in news about Darrell Eastlake and I am delighted to say I can provide the very latest: Big D is alive and well (his words) and living in a nursing home at Wyoming on the Central Coast.”
In a 50 minute phone call last week, Ross determined that while Darrell had some mobility issues he was still in possession of all his marbles and was even talking about writing his memoirs.
Ross is quick to point out, “This well travelled media icon really started his career here on the Gold Coast, selling advertising for Radio 4GG and being involved in promotions with yours truly under Ralph Taylor and later Barry Ferber, some 35 years ago.” (see below).
Ross adds, “Ralph Taylor, a pioneer of radio in Queensland, will celebrate his 87th birthday next week while he, too, is in hospital for surgery on dangerous cancers. He is also asking after Darrell.”
The last time Ross had seen Darrell was in 2011 (see pic below) on his way around Australia. Ross says, “I had a great 24 hours with him but it was apparently only shortly later that he became seriously ill and was admitted to hospital.
“The only thing I heard since was that he died in hospital but I could find no record of it anywhere. A lot of his former workmates here on the coast have been contacting me for information, knowing how close Big D and I were in radio and socially.”
Well, now we know that news of the big man’s demise has been greatly exagerated!
