Radio and TV personality, Jonathan Coleman, has died, peacefully at home, from prostate cancer, aged 65.
He was one of the foundation members of the 2WS team, as creative director, when it launched in 1978. But it was his on-air work – especially as a duo with Ian “Dano” Rogerson, for which he was best known.
His on air career as a media personality began in the 1970’s on a kids’ TV show, Simon Townsend’s Wonder World before teaming up with Rogerson for stints on Double J (now triple j) 2WS (now WSFM) and Triple M (still Triple M).
1998, saw the pair, as Jono and Dano, hosting a music show on the Seven Network called Saturday Morning Live.
Having split with Rogerson after the TV came to an end, Jono moved to the UK in 1990 where he worked on-air at the BBC, Virgin Radio and London’s Heart 106.2. He returned to Australia in 2006 to be near hi 81 year old mother, Sylvia.
He was, most recently a presenter on the television morning show, Studio 10.
Jono is survived by his wife Margot, their children Oscar and Emily, his sister Sharon and husband Michael and his nephew Adam and partner Brandee.
Margot told 9News, “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.
“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.”
In 2015, when we profiled Jono, he told us about his first job as a copywriter and his proudest moments:
I’m very proud of my order of Australia medal – Mum and dad would also be very proud… I’ve been very lucky and met and worked with some amazing people and I’m about to celebrate 40 years plus in radio and TV in OZ and the UK.
His advice to up and coming people in the media industry was “be yourself.”
Scott Mayman writes…
“Only a handful of people in the calibre of broadcasting would recognise his true grit and persona.
I’m so sad to hear of his passing. Jono was a gentleman and he was always very respectful of you and what you do.
One of the few genuine people I’ve come across in the TV industry who always made time to have a convo with you.I will remember him fondly”.
Click Jono’s name in the tags below, or search for all articles on our site to see our other coverage over the years.
Jono was a regular reader and contributor to radioinfo. We will all miss him.
RIP Jono.
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