Australian entertainment icon Johnny Young, best known as the creator, host and producer of the long-running television show ‘Young Talent Time’, has passed away at the age of 79.
In a statement, his family confirmed he passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer:
“Johnny was the creator, host and producer of the much loved television show Young Talent Time. He wrote and produced many iconic hit songs including The Real Thing and Smily,” the family said.
“Johnny leaves behind his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, son Craig (dec.), seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
“The family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time. Details of a memorial service will be announced soon.”
Young moved to Australia with his family as a young child. He first rose to fame in the mid-1960s as the frontman of the Perth pop group Johnny Young & Kompany. He also hosted the national TV music series ‘The Go!! Show’ and toured with big acts like The Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison.
In 1971, he launched ‘Young Talent Time’, a children’s variety and talent show that became a staple of Australian television for nearly two decades, until 1988.
Young Talent Time helped launch the careers of many future stars, including Tina Arena and Dannii Minogue. Episodes typically closed with Young and the cast performing the Beatles’ “All My Loving.”
Young was later inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 1990 and the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010 (the first entertainer to receive both honours)
Young leaves behind his wife, Marisha; sister, Cornelia; daughters, Anna and Fleur; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Craig, his only son, also died of pancreatic cancer in 2014 at the age of 48.
Tributes have already begun flowing for a figure many Australians grew up watching.
Johnny Young will be greatly missed.
