Malcolm T. Elliott
Malcolm T. Elliott | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 May 1946 Coburg, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 8 August 2019 (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, television presenter, journalist |
| Years active | 1967–2004 (radio broadcasting career) |
| Known for | Radio breakfast shows on 2UW and 4BK; television appearances including Celebrity Squares |
Malcolm T. Elliott (13 May 1946 – 8 August 2019) was a prominent Australian broadcaster, television presenter, and journalist.
Early life and education
Malcolm Allan Elliott was born in Coburg, Victoria to parents Allan Hamilton Elliott and Marion Rose Elliott (née Walters).
Career
Elliott's career commenced as a printing compositor with the Leader Group newspapers in Melbourne. He transitioned into radio broadcasting in February 1967, starting at 3NE Wangaratta. Shortly thereafter, he moved to 3SR Shepparton, where he successfully hosted the breakfast program. Following brief periods at 2TM Tamworth, 3UL Warragul, 2KO, and 2HD Newcastle, Elliott returned south to deliver television news at AMV-4 Albury.
In 1970, he joined the newsroom of 2SM, covering Australia’s inaugural Papal Tour. Later that year, he was appointed deputy news director at Melbourne’s top-rated station 3AK. Subsequently, Elliott took on the evening shift and introduced the half-hour news segment Newsday on 5AD.
Canadian programmer Peter Harding recruited Elliott in 1971 to helm the breakfast show at 4BK Brisbane. His success there led to his move to Sydney’s 2UW. Between 1972 and 1976, and again from 1978 to 1979, he co-hosted the breakfast show on 2UW alongside Peter Shanahan and Tony Dickinson. Their team achieved a record audience share of 16.5%, marking the highest rating in the station’s history at that time. Elliott returned briefly in 1985 to present the morning show on 2UW for one year.
In 1975, he was honoured as The Most Popular Radio Personality in New South Wales by TV Week and was awarded a Logie.
24-hour lock-in
On 14–15 January 1974, Elliott staged a publicity stunt by simulating the removal of electric locks on the 2UW studio doors and confined himself inside for a full day while other presenters visited the nearby "City Hotel". The event attracted thousands of visitors to the studios, with many Sydney residents turning off their televisions to listen instead. While listeners perceived it as a humorous act, rival station management mistakenly believed he had seized control. This event significantly increased 2UW’s breakfast ratings to their highest levels to date.
Television
Elliott’s television appearances included hosting In Wollongong Tonight on WIN-4 in 1981, stepping in last minute for Eric Walters. Earlier in his career, he presented "Long-Weekend" movie marathons on Channel 7 Adelaide under program director Lynton Taylor. When Taylor transitioned to Nine Network Sydney in 1973, Elliott became one of five regular cast members on Celebrity Squares, sharing the screen with Bert Newton and Don Lane. During this time, Ugly Dave Gray dubbed him "Malcolm T-shirt Elliott".
His radio experience also encompassed roles at 87-2GB (1976–77), 2KY (1980), and multiple stints at 2UE (1983–84, 1988–89, and 1992–2004). In May 2005, Elliott generated controversy during a Sydney radio broadcast by making racially derogatory comments about Indonesian judges and Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Megawati Sukarnoputri while discussing Schapelle Corby’s Bali drug smuggling case.
Marketing and No 1
During the 1980s, Elliott earned a diploma in business marketing from the University of New South Wales. He held senior marketing positions at several organisations including News Limited, Westfield, RCA Records, Domino Computers, and CMS Computer Enhancements. He hosted afternoon programs on 2GB between 1992 and 1993. From 1993 through 2004, Elliott presented Sunday morning shows on 2UE-4BC, maintaining the top audience rating for seven consecutive years while also substituting for Stan Zemanek on weeknight broadcasts.
Health
On 11 June 2004, he underwent a five-vessel bypass surgery following episodes of breathlessness at his residence in Northern Rivers. He retired from 2UE in October 2004, settling in New South Wales. In March 2010, he completed a twelve-week course of radiotherapy at Coffs Harbour Hospital to treat prostate cancer. Later, on 12 October 2015, he received heart ablation surgery along with the implantation of a Pacemaker/Defibrillator at Pindara Hospital in Queensland. Subsequently, on 28 January 2016, he had surgery for gallbladder removal and repair of an umbilical hernia at John Flynn Hospital.
Later years
Following his retirement from regular broadcasting duties, his internationally sourced date files titled "It Happened Today" became a staple on the breakfast programs of 2UE and 2GB's Alan Jones starting in 1992 and were incorporated into Webster's CD Encyclopaedia in 1997. He married Brenda Holland on 30 August 1975, and together they had a daughter named Alicia, born in November 1975. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1992. He later married Pamela Miller (née Bunt) from Glenhaven, Sydney, on 17 February 2001. By 2018, he was living on his property located in Goonellabah, a suburb near Lismore in northern New South Wales.
Elliott was discovered deceased on 8 August 2019 in a motel room situated in Lismore.