Australian entertainment legend and Young Talent Time host Johnny Young has died, aged 79.
The pop singer and songwriter, born Johnny Benjamin De Jong, passed away following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, his family confirmed in a statement released on Friday.
“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 statement reads.
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“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.”
The family confirmed details of a memorial service will be announced soon.
Young Talent Time was a popular Australian TV program that aired from 1971 to 1988, with a brief revival in 2012.
Hosted by Young, the family-friendly show featured a rotating cast of talented children and teenagers known as the “Young Talent Team” who sang, danced and performed chart hits.
The show launched the careers of several famous Australian singers and performers, most notably Tina Arena and Dannii Minogue.
Young was inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 1990, with Arena paying tribute to the music legend at the ceremony by singing his song Here Comes The Star.
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“I don’t think I would ever have had the beauty and the diversity of career that I’ve had without my apprenticeship on TV,” Arena said at the induction.
Emotional tributes for Aussie legend
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led the tributes, saying Young gave Australia the “gift of joy”.
“A wonderful singer in his own right, he established himself in our homes and our hearts as the genial and generous host of Young Talent Time, the launchpad for an incredible new generation of entertainers,” Albanese posted on X.
“How lucky we were to have him. May he rest in peace.”
Arena said her mentor, who she called her “show biz dad”, left behind a “beautiful legacy”.
“I’m struggling to find the words today to express the profound loss of a man who allowed, and equally encouraged, me to find my voice!” Arena said.
“Just know that you leave behind a beautiful legacy that we will continue to uphold because you deserve that, and much more.
Minogue also paid tribute, saying Young “holds a place in so many hearts, and today my heart is broken”.
“He has so many achievements from his music and TV career, pop writing and releases, and family entertainment on our televisions,” she posted on X, alongside a video of Young introducing one of her performances on the show.
“For me, this is where my career started, and generations of Aussies hold Young Talent Time and the song All My Loving so fondly in their memories.
“His show brought 17 years of colour, choreography, sequins, music and smiles to our Saturday nights.
“My heart goes out to his family and to his YTT family. From cast, crew and every Johnny Young Talent School member, this is a very sad ‘Goodnight Australia’.”
Beven Addinsall, who joined Young Talent Time at the age of 11, paid tribute to Young on Instagram, sharing a photo from the red carpet.
“Rest in peace, my dear friend,” the caption read.
Australian singer and guitarist Russell Morris, the voice behind hit single The Real Thing, remembered Young as a “great friend”.
“Today — we lost a great friend, and an extremely talented man,” Morris said.
“He was a success at everything he set his mind to — a force of nature.
“He, and I spent many years working together, and socialising; many laughs, and achievements — it was a great ride.
“He will be remembered as a great talent, and a great person.”
