The Gold Logie winning Australian radio and television news presenter passed away at the age of 89. Henderson hosted the Sydney weeknight news on Nine from 1957 until his retirement in 2002, when he was Australia’s longest serving news reader. He also hosted Bandstand from 1958 to 1972.Henderson, who was born in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1931, died peacefully at home in the early hours of Thursday morning surrounded by his family – wife Mardi and daughters Nicole and Jody. He was just shy of his 90th birthday. Mardi Henderson described her husband as someone who brought them “so much joy and love and a wonderful sense of humour.”Announcing his passing on air, Today host Karl Stefanovic described Henderson as “an absolute gentleman”.David Campbell Henderson tweet“And a total professional who provided guidance and inspiration for so many colleagues and generations who followed,” Stefanovic said. “We loved him. Brian was married to his lovely wife Mardi of 48 years, she was at his bedside this morning along with his daughters Jody and Nicole.”In February 2020, Henderson sat down with Nine’s Peter Overton and spoke about his kidney cancer diagnosis. It was his fifth cancer diagnosis after he previously beat melanoma, prostate, bowel and throat cancer.At the time, he said he would not be fighting the cancer.“I said there is not much point in having another operation, I don’t want to be cut open again,” he said. “There is no pain, I have no pain from it. So I will just waffle along.”Henderson said it wasn’t a hard decision to make and that he was “not a hero for making it”.“And I don’t advocate it for everybody,” he said. “It just suits me to be like that. At the age I am and the state of health I enjoy, no I’d rather not have the operation.”He described the cancer as a “nuisance”.“It is there and it will continue to grow,” he said. “There is no pain attached so I will let it be. If it is not bothering you too much, hang on, have a good life, which I am having really.Henderson said he wasn’t afraid of death.“But I don’t welcome it,” he told Overton. “If I do get to the other side and you get there too, would you join me for a drink or two?”News of Henderson’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media. Nine Chairman Peter Costello said Henderson was “the best of the best”.“He was iconic,” Costello said in a statement. “The ultimate professional and the trusted face of television news for generations of Australians. Hendo was not just a much loved newsman he also brought modern pop music to generations of Australian teenagers through his hosting role on Bandstand. He was trusted, he had a warmth that he brought into the living rooms of millions of Australians. He will be deeply missed but his giant legacy and contribution will live on in the DNA of Nine.”Nine News boss Darren Wick also paid tribute to Henderson.“Hendo was much loved and idolised by everyone of us lucky enough to have worked with him and learn from him,” Wick said. “He was the epitome of credibility, reliability and clarity. He set the standard that we aspire to live up to every night of the week.”Television presenter Julie Snook wrote: “What a voice. What a sign off. We have lost a broadcasting great today and a true gentleman. Thank you Brian Henderson.” Nine News reporter Damian Ryan said: “So sorry to hear about the passing of Brian Henderson “a man of perfection”.NAT – Stay Informed – Social Media
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