Bruce Mansfield
Bruce Mansfield | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 April 1944 Australia |
| Died | 17 April 2016 (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Television and radio broadcaster, narrator |
| Years active | 1960–2016 |
Bruce Mansfield (24 April 1944 – 17 April 2016) was a prominent Australian figure in television and radio broadcasting, also recognized for his work as a narrator.
Early career
At the age of 16, Mansfield launched his radio career by winning a junior announcer contest at 3UZ in 1960, which awarded him 100 pounds and a week of on-air experience. He started working at 3KZ in 1962 as a panel operator and late-night announcer before moving to 3XY in 1964, where he hosted the mid-morning show.
By 1968, he had shifted to television, making appearances on Graham Kennedy's In Melbourne Tonight broadcast on Nine Network's GTV-9. He gained additional recognition for portraying the Chinese Superman character on Channel 9's Cartoon Corner.
Newsreading
Mansfield was appointed chief newsreader for Eyewitness News at Ten Network Melbourne’s ATV-0 in 1974. In 1979, following a reassignment alongside partner Annette Allison within the station, he transitioned to voice-over announcing duties at ATV and took part in game shows including Personality Squares. He also served as the announcer for Channel Ten’s enduring dating program Perfect Match Australia.
Breakfast show
Partnering with John Blackman, Mansfield co-hosted the breakfast show on 3AW, adopting the persona "Uncle Roy." Their program dominated Melbourne’s breakfast radio market until Blackman departed for competitor 3AK in 1986. Mansfield continued alongside Darren James until the station rebranded from "Personality Radio" to "Thinking Person's Radio," resulting in their dismissal.
In 1989, both were recruited by 3AK; however, the show concluded by mid-1990 following changes in management. Subsequently, Mansfield hosted the drive-time slot on community broadcaster 3INR-FM, transmitting from Heidelberg.
Remember When and Nightline
In 1990, Mansfield joined forces with television veteran Philip Brady to co-present the Sunday night nostalgia program Remember When on 3AW. After six months, they assumed caretaker hosting responsibilities for Nightline, eventually becoming permanent hosts—a position they held until Mansfield’s passing.
During the late 1990s, Mansfield returned briefly to television, hosting late-night movie segments and the infomercial series Mansfield's Melbourne aired on Channel 31 in Melbourne.
In 1999, Mansfield was dismissed from 3AW amid allegations related to exchanging on-air interviews for complimentary goods and services, connected to the cash-for-comment investigations conducted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. He then presented an afternoon show titled Mansfield's Melbourne on 3AK in 2000 before resuming co-hosting duties for Nightline and Remember When at 3AW in 2001.
Bert Newton and Rove
Mansfield contributed a nostalgia-focused "Collectables" segment to Bert Newton’s Good Morning Australia. In 2004, he provided voice-over narration for a feature called "Who's in the Swivel Chair?" on Rove Live.
Awards
Together with Philip Brady, Mansfield received the Australian Commercial Radio Award for Best Networked Program in 2003 for their work on Nightline.
Community involvement
Mansfield took on the role of Australia Day ambassador in Victoria, where he encouraged national pride through active participation in community events and delivering speeches.
In March 2013, he was appointed as an ambassador for the Northern Health Foundation, with a particular emphasis on supporting its bequest program. Northern Health ranks among the busiest public healthcare providers in Victoria.
Death
On the morning of 17 April 2016, 3AW reported that Mansfield had passed away due to prostate cancer. His death occurred just a week before he would have turned 72.