The Ernie Sigley Show
Ernie Sigley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ernest William Sigley September 2, 1938 Footscray, Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | August 15, 2021 (aged 82) |
| Occupation(s) | Television presenter, comedian, variety entertainer, radio host, vocalist |
| Years active | 1952–2009 |
| Known for | Hosting The Ernie Sigley Show, Wheel of Fortune (Australia), Saturday Night Live (The Penthouse Club) |
Ernest William Sigley (2 September 1938 – 15 August 2021) was a celebrated Australian television presenter, comedian, variety entertainer, radio host, and vocalist who earned a Gold Logie during his career. Recognized as a trailblazer in both Australian radio and television, he was distinguished by his embodiment of the "little Aussie battler" character and his cheeky, larrikin style of humor.
Sigley’s career began in radio before he transitioned to television, where he became widely recognized for hosting programs such as The Ernie Sigley Show, Saturday Night Live (also known as The Penthouse Club), and serving as the inaugural host for the game show Wheel of Fortune. After co-hosting several talk shows alongside Denise Drysdale during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he returned to radio broadcasting until his retirement in 2009.
Early life and career
Born in Footscray, Melbourne, Ernest was one of seven siblings raised by a boilermaker father. He completed his schooling at Williamstown High School before embarking on his media career in 1952 as a turntable operator on Danny Webb’s breakfast show at Melbourne’s 3DB radio station.
Following the introduction of television in Australia in 1956, Sigley made his TV debut in 1957 as the host of Teenage Mailbag (which was later renamed The Teenage Show) on HSV-7. He subsequently gained international experience with the BBC in London and spent three years performing under the pseudonym "Ernie Williams" at Radio Luxembourg.
A notable moment in Sigley’s career came in 1964 during the Beatles’ Australian tour when he conducted an interview with John Lennon in Adelaide that became one of the standout events of the tour.
Radio
In 1981, Sigley returned to Melbourne’s 3DB to take over the breakfast program. The following year, he shifted to News Talk 3UZ to host their breakfast slot, known for its personality-driven format. In 1996, he joined 3AW to present the afternoon show, a position he held for twelve years until his retirement on 7 November 2008. After stepping down from full-time hosting duties, he continued part-time at 3AW, co-hosting the Friday night program Nightline alongside either Bruce Mansfield or Philip Brady. His successor on the afternoon shift was Denis Walter.
Television
Sigley was among the original performers on the variety television series Sunnyside Up. During the 1960s and early 1970s, he hosted Adelaide Tonight, a prime-time variety show broadcast on Adelaide’s NWS-9.
Beginning in 1974, he fronted the national variety program The Ernie Sigley Show on the Nine Network, which featured talents such as Denise Drysdale, Noni Hazlehurst, and announcer Pete Smith. The program ended abruptly after Sigley expressed frustration off-camera toward station owner Kerry Packer and producer Peter Faiman, following a decision to cut short his first show of 1976 to accommodate a sports awards telecast. This incident led to Sigley’s immediate dismissal and replacement by Don Lane.
Following this setback, Sigley transitioned to ATV-0, where he hosted early evening variety shows titled Ernie and later The Penthouse. This format eventually evolved into Saturday Night Live on HSV-7, which he co-hosted with comedian Mary Hardy.
From 1981 until 1984, Sigley was the original presenter of Australia’s version of Wheel of Fortune. In addition, in 1982 he hosted Six Tonight, a regional variety program broadcast from BTV-6 in Ballarat via WIN Television, and later presented the daytime talent competition Pot Luck in 1987.
After stepping away from television for a period, Sigley returned in 1989 alongside Denise Drysdale to co-host GTV-9’s morning show In Melbourne Today.
In 1988, Sigley was involved in a widely reported dispute with fellow television personality Don Lane at a Logies after-party, allegedly sparked by comments made about Lane’s partner.
Singing
Sigley’s vocal journey began as a choirboy at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, and during the 1950s, he became a familiar face on the town hall performance circuit. His debut single, "Love Is A Golden Ring," was issued in 1957.
In 1974, Sigley teamed up with Denise Drysdale to record the duet "Hey Paula," a rendition of the American hit by Paul & Paula. This track was released through Festival Records and produced at Armstrong Studios in Melbourne. Under the production and arrangement of Brian Rangott, the single climbed to number 2 on Australian charts.
Throughout his career, Sigley frequently appeared on Australia’s club scene, often sharing the stage with his television co-host Denise Drysdale.
Awards
In 1975, Sigley was honored with the prestigious TV Week Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television. Prior to this, he had secured eleven regional Logies recognizing his contributions in Adelaide.
Personal life
Sigley experienced three marriages and two divorces before spending 47 years wed to former TV presenter Glenys O'Brien. The couple resided in Glen Iris, Melbourne, and raised four children together. Among them, his son Matthew pursued a music career as a keyboardist with Australian bands such as the Earthmen and the Fauves.
A passionate supporter of the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League and the South Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League, Sigley also once owned the Radio Springs Hotel located in Lyonville, Victoria.
In October 2016, it was publicly revealed by his family that he was battling Alzheimer's disease. Sigley passed away on 15 August 2021 at the age of 82.
Selected TV
| Production | Year | Role | Network |
| Teenage Mailbag | 1957 | Host | Seven Network (HSV-7) |
| The Teenage Show | 1958–1959 | Host | ? |
| Adelaide Tonight | 1959–1973 | Co-host, Host | Nine Network (NWS-9) |
| The Annual TV Week Logie Awards | 1968–1974/1976–1979 | Himself | Nine Network |
| Countdown | 1974 | Guest | ABC |
| Ernie | 1976 | Host | Ten Network |
| This is Your Life Mary Hardy | 1978 | Guest | Seven Network |
| The Don Lane Show | 1981 | Guest (8.6.81) | Nine Network |
| Wheel of Fortune | 1981 | Host | Seven Network |
| Video from Hell (Video) | 1985 | Himself | Direct |
| In Melbourne Today | 1989 | Host | Nine Network |
| Ernie and Denise | 1993 | Host | Nine Network |
| The Late Show | 1993 | Himself | |
| Good Morning Australia | 2004 | Guest | Ten Network |
| The Man from Dame Edna (TV movie documentary) | 2008 | Radio Presenter |
Actor
| 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 details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| Ernie |
|
- |
| Ernie Sigley |
|
30 |
| ...And Here's Ernie |
|
44 |
Singles that charted
| Year | Title | Highest chart positions |
Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | "Love is a Golden Ring"/"I Happened Again" | ||
| 1961 | "Mary's Boy Child"/"Brush Those Tears from Your Eyes" | ||
| 1965 | "Think About Me"/"Mona Lisa" | ||
| 1966 | "Hey! Girl"/"It's Almost Tomorrow" | ||
| 1967 | "True Love"/"A Boy Without a Girl" | ||
| "A Clown Am I"/"A Million Years or So" | |||
| 1970 | "Give Me Love"/"A Little Thing Called Love" | ||
| 1971 | "City of Angels" | ||
| 1974 | "Hey Paula" (duet with Denise Drysdale) |
| |
| "Just Thank Me" |