Australian TV and radio star, Ernie Sigley, has died at the age of 82 after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Melbourne-born entertainer won 21 Logie Awards during his career, including the 1975 Gold Logie for Australia’s most popular TV personality.
Mr Sigley was the original Australian host of game show Wheel of Fortune from 1981 to 1984 and had a wonderful rapport with his long-term on-screen partner, Denise Drysdale.
Their on-camera chemistry translated into their recording of Hey Paula hitting No.1 on the Australian music charts. Drysdale is still affectionately known as Ding Dong, a nickname invented by Ernie.
Sigley hosted a diverse range of television shows after The Ernie Sigley Show finished in 1976, including Saturday Night Live, Wheel of Fortune and morning program In Melbourne Today.
Later in his career, he hosted 3AW’s afternoon radio program from 1996 until his retirement in 2008.
Ernie Sigley was married for 47 years to wife, Glenys O’Brien. The couple had four children – one of his sons is musician Matthew Sigley from ’90s indie band, The Earthmen.
