The Australian media fraternity and, no doubt, patrons and staff of North Sydney’s Commodore Hotel, are mourning the passing of legendary radio and TV presenter Doug Mulray following a battle with poor health.
“Uncle Doug” Mulray embarked on his broadcasting career at 2AD in Armidale. He then secured a position at Central Coast station 2GO Gosford, before moving to Melbourne’s 3AW in the mid-1970s to host the program “Mulray & The Man”. He gained popularity while working for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s alternative rock station 2JJ (later Triple J) in Sydney during the late 1970s, but was later lured away by the newly established Triple M in 1982.
After a brief hiatus from Triple M, he worked with Peter FitzSimons on the PM drive time slot at 2SM before eventually joining Sydney radio station 2WS. Mulray departed 2WS in July 1999.
Beyond his radio career, Mulray appeared on several Australian TV shows, including Beauty and the Beast. However, his hosting gig on the one and only episode of the controversial Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos in 1992 led to his termination and subsequent ban from the Nine Network by owner Kerry Packer, who pulled the episode from broadcast after only 34 minutes. Despite the ban, Mulray returned to Nine in 2002 to participate in the special “Brian Henderson Toasted and Roasted” and to serve as a judge on the 2005 series StarStruck.
He was also the recipient of an ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release with the album, Nice Legs Shame About the Fez. His other album releases included What a Rude Album and 2 Rude.
His other credits included producer/director roles on live concert programmes captured at Sydney’s Basement nightclub.
In a statement, Grant Blackley, CEO of Triple M parent company, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) said, “Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends on the passing of Uncle Doug. He was radio royalty and an absolute legend. He was instrumental in changing the face of radio on Triple M and became a household name. He was deeply opinionated, highly intelligent and one very cheeky bugger. Thank you Dougie for entertaining us and ensuring we never took life too seriously. We will miss you. Vale Doug Mulray.”
Listen to Triple M’s on-air tribute to Doug Mulray with Andrew Denton below.