Australian star Jon English dead at 66JUST days before his death, confined to a hospital bed and awaiting surgery, Aussie rocker Jon English sent a message to his fans he was “itching” to get back to “rocking out on stage”.
The much loved performer had to cancel shows when he unexpectedly fell ill just two weeks ago.
On his official Facebook page, he sent regretful apologies to fans for having to delay a performance this coming Sunday, in what would be his final tour.
A photo of the weary performer in a hospital bed was accompanied by a hopeful message that he was “expected to make a full recovery over the coming weeks”.
English died overnight from complications with surgery.
The 66-year-old was surrounded by family, including his four children Jessamin, Josephine, Jonnie and Julian, and his wife Carmen.
English had put his performances on hold in recent weeks when he was hospitalised in Newcastle suffering broken ribs, his former manager Peter Rix confirmed.
During surgery, doctors discovered an issue with the performer’s aortic valve, with the exact cause of death reported as an aortic aneurysm.
English shot to fame in the early 1970s in his role as Judas in the Australian version of stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
He picked up a Logie Award for best new talent in 1979 for his starring role in Australian TV series Against the Wind, and went on to become well known for his roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. English also won four ARIA awards throughout his career — for his album Turn the Page, his musical Paris and a production of the Pirates of Penzance, in which he starred.
In the 1990s, he led the cast of Australian sitcom All Together Now alongside Rebecca Gibney and now Today show weatherman Steve Jacobs.
English played ageing ‘70s rock star Bobby Rivers who discovered parenthood late in life in the series than ran for more than 100 episodes.
Jacobs paid tribute to the man he spent “four of the best years of my life” with on the show.
“He was such a talented performer and such a gentleman,” he said.
“He lived his life like a rock star — he was larger than life.”
Co-star Rebecca Gibney shared her reaction to the news on social media, saying All Together Now was one of the joys of her career.
“He was not only a wonderful actor, an extraordinary musician but he was a genuinely kind and lovely man. My sincerest condolences to Carmen and his family. RIP Jon. Gone way too soon,” he said.
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Jon English dead at 66
