Ernie Sigley
Ernie Sigley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ernest William Sigley 2 September 1938 Footscray, Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | 15 August 2021 (aged 82) |
| Other names | Ernie Williams (pseudonym) |
| Occupation(s) | Television presenter, comedian, singer, variety entertainer, radio personality |
| Years active | 1952–2009 |
| Known for | The Ernie Sigley Show, Saturday Night Live (The Penthouse Club), Wheel of Fortune (Australia) |
Ernest William Sigley (2 September 1938 – 15 August 2021) was a celebrated Australian television presenter, comedian, singer, variety entertainer, and radio personality, honored with a Gold Logie award. Recognized as a trailblazer in both Australian radio and television, he was famed for his "little Aussie battler" image and cheeky larrikin style.
Starting his career in radio, Sigley later transitioned to television, where he rose to fame with shows such as his eponymous The Ernie Sigley Show, the variety program Saturday Night Live (also known as The Penthouse Club), and as the inaugural host of the game show Wheel of Fortune. Following his late 1980s and early 1990s talk show co-hosting partnership with Denise Drysdale, he returned to radio broadcasting until he retired in 2009.
Early life and career
Ernest Sigley was born in Footscray, Melbourne, one of seven siblings in a family headed by a boilermaker. He completed his schooling at Williamstown High School. His radio journey began in 1952 when he worked as a turntable operator on Danny Webb’s breakfast show at Melbourne’s 3DB.
With the advent of Australian television in 1956, Sigley made his TV debut in 1957 as host of Teenage Mailbag (later renamed The Teenage Show) on HSV-7. He briefly joined the BBC in London before spending three years broadcasting at Radio Luxembourg under the pseudonym "Ernie Williams".
One of Sigley’s most memorable moments came during the Beatles’ 1964 Adelaide tour when an interview he conducted with John Lennon produced an iconic response that remains a standout in his broadcasting legacy.
Radio
In 1981, Sigley returned to Melbourne's 3DB to anchor the breakfast slot. The following year, he shifted to News Talk 3UZ’s morning program, known for its strong personality-driven content. In 1996, he moved to 3AW to host the afternoon show, a position he maintained for twelve years until retiring on 7 November 2008. His successor was Denis Walter, while Sigley continued part-time co-hosting duties on Friday nights for Nightline, alongside either Bruce Mansfield or Philip Brady.
Television
Sigley featured among the original performers on the variety series Sunnyside Up. During the 1960s and early ’70s, he was the host of Adelaide Tonight, a prime time variety program broadcast on NWS-9.
Beginning in 1974, he fronted the national variety series on the Nine Network, titled The Ernie Sigley Show, which showcased talents such as Denise Drysdale, Noni Hazlehurst, and Pete Smith. The program ended abruptly after Sigley reacted angrily off-air toward station owner Kerry Packer and producer Peter Faiman following a schedule alteration. Packer immediately terminated Sigley’s contract and replaced him with Don Lane.
Subsequently, Sigley joined ATV-0, hosting early evening variety programs named Ernie and later The Penthouse. This evolved into Saturday Night Live on HSV-7, where he co-hosted alongside Mary Hardy.
From 1981 to 1984, Sigley served as the original host of Australia's adaptation of Wheel of Fortune. In 1982, he presented Six Tonight, a regional variety series on BTV-6 in Ballarat, and later hosted the daytime talent contest Pot Luck in 1987.
After a break from television, Sigley returned in 1989 to co-host GTV-9’s morning show In Melbourne Today with Denise Drysdale.
In 1988, Sigley became involved in a widely publicized confrontation with TV personality Don Lane at a Logies after-party reportedly related to comments concerning Lane’s partner.
Vocal Career
Sigley's singing journey commenced as a choirboy at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, and during the 1950s, he was actively performing on the local town hall circuit. His debut single, "Love Is A Golden Ring," came out in 1957.
In 1974, Sigley collaborated with Denise Drysdale to record the duet "Hey Paula," which was a rendition of the American hit originally by Paul & Paula. This track, produced at Armstrong Studios in Melbourne and released through Festival Records, climbed to number 2 on the Australian charts. The production and arrangement were overseen by Brian Rangott, with engineering by Ian McKenzie.
Throughout his career, Sigley frequently performed on Australia's club circuit, often appearing alongside television colleague Denise Drysdale.
Honors
In 1975, Sigley received the prestigious TV Week Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television. Prior to this, he had earned eleven regional Logie Awards recognizing his contributions in Adelaide.
Personal Details
Having been married three times with two divorces, Sigley's longest marriage was to former TV presenter Glenys O'Brien, lasting 47 years. The couple lived in Glen Iris, Melbourne, and were parents to four children. Their son Matthew pursued a career as a keyboardist for Australian bands such as the Earthmen, the Fauves, and Drop City.
Sigley was an avid supporter of the Western Bulldogs (previously known as Footscray Football Club) in the Australian Football League and also backed the South Adelaide Football Club competing in the South Australian National Football League.
At one point, he owned the Radio Springs Hotel located in Lyonville, a rural area of Victoria.
In October 2016, his family revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Sigley passed away on 15 August 2021 at the age of 82.
Selected Appearances
| Production | Year | Role | Network |
| Teenage Mailbag (TV series) | 1957 | Host | Seven Network (HSV-7) |
| The Teenage Show (TV series) | 1958–1959 | Host | ? |
| Adelaide Tonight (TV series) | 1959-1973 | Co-host, Host | Nine Network (NWS-9) |
| The Annual TV Week Logie Awards | 1968–1974/1976-1979 | Himself | Nine Network |
| Countdown (TV series) | 1974 | Guest | ABC |
| Ernie (TV series) | 1976 | Host | Ten Network |
| This is Your Life Mary Hardy | 1978 | Guest | Seven Network |
| The Don Lane Show | 8.6.81 | Guest | Nine Network |
| Wheel of Fortune (TV series) | 1981 | Host | Seven Network |
| 'Video from Hell (Video) | 1985 | Himself | Direct |
| In Melbourne Today (TV series) | 1989 | Host | Nine Network |
| Ernie and Denise (TV series) | 1993 | Host | Nine Network |
| The Late Show (TV series) | 1993 | Himself | |
| Good Morning Australia | 2004 | Guest | Ten Network |
| The Man from Dame Edna (TV movie documentary) | 2008 | Radio Presenter |
Acting Roles
| Production | Year | Role |
| Jack and the Beanstalk (TV movie) | 1964 | Miffin |
| The Story of Dick Whittington (TV movie) | 1966 | Robin |
| Dead Man's Float | 1980 | Snarks |
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| Ernie |
|
- |
| Ernie Sigley |
|
30 |
| ...And Here's Ernie |
|
44 |
Charting singles
| Year | Single title | Highest chart positions |
Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | "Love is a Golden Ring"/"I Happened Again" | 9 | |
| 1961 | "Mary's Boy Child"/"Brush Those Tears from Your Eyes" | 57 | |
| 1965 | "Think About Me"/"Mona Lisa" | 52 | |
| 1966 | "Hey! Girl"/"It's Almost Tomorrow" | 73 | |
| 1967 | "True Love"/"A Boy Without a Girl" | 76 | |
| "A Clown Am I"/"A Million Years or So" | 86 | ||
| 1970 | "Give Me Love"/"A Little Thing Called Love" | 99 | |
| 1971 | "City of Angels" | 69 | |
| 1974 | "Hey Paula" (duet with Denise Drysdale) | 2 |
|
| "Just Thank Me" | 94 |