Broadcaster Jono Coleman dies at the age of 65

Popular radio presenter Jono Coleman has died four years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Tributes have been paid online by his family, friends, fans and colleagues from Australia and the UK.

Jono was born in London but lived and worked in Australia most of his life. He spent 16 years on-air in the UK including famous pairings with Russ Williams from 1993 to 1997 at Virgin and with Harriet Scott from 2002 to 2005 on Heart 106.2 in London.

He started his radio career in 1990 at BBC GLR before joining Virgin to present evenings. He was moved to breakfast in July 1993 with Russ but made way for the arrival of Chris Evans in 1997 by moving to Drive.

Jono joined Heart 106.2 in 1999 and was there for six years before a high-profile exit in 2005. He then worked at LBC for a short time before joining BBC London 94.9, replacing Danny Baker on Breakfast.

He left the UK in 2006 to be with his 81-year-old mother in Australia following a year on BBC London breakfast with Jo Good.

A special Christmas show was produced and aired in 2010 by Blue Revolution available for radio stations to syndicate, and in the last few years Jono has been reunited with Russ Williams via a podcast series and programmes on Fix Radio.

In Australia, Jono returned to work on radio and television, hosting on ARN’s Classic Hits network and reporting for various television programmes. He even had a cameo on Neighbours in 2007.

In 2015, he was awarded an OAM for service to the broadcast media industry, and to the community.

The award, a Medal of the Order of Australia, has been given as part of the Australia Day 2015 Honours List by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia.

He announced in 2018 via Network Ten, the television station he worked on, that he’d been living with prostate cancer in June 2017 but kept it a secret since.

Jono died with his wife Margot, and children Oscar and Emily, by his side.

In a statement after his death, Margot said: “Jono and I have been soulmates for close to 40 years. We have been fortunate to have lived a rich and wonderful life and I have been lucky enough to watch up-close someone with enormous talent and the special gift to make people laugh.

“I will miss him beyond words and with the support of our gorgeous children, Oscar and Emily, and their partners, we will continue to live in the manner that he wanted.

“When I asked Jono recently how he wanted to be remembered, he said ‘for doing a good deed every day’, such was the generosity and caring nature of the love of my life.

“We will find the time to bring together all those close to him to celebrate his life when circumstances permit.”