Ernie Sigley | |
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Born |
Ernest William Sigley 2 September 1938 Footscray, Australia |
Occupation | Radio personality Television host Singer |
Ernest William "Ernie" Sigley (born 2 September 1938, in Footscray, Australia) is a Gold Logie winning Australian television host, radio presenter and singer. Sigley is often styled as a "little Aussie battler" with a larrikin sense of humour.
After completing his education at Williamstown High School, Sigley's career began in 1952 as a turntable operator on Danny Webb's breakfast program at radio station 3DB Melbourne. Television started in Australia in 1956, and Sigley made his TV debut as host of Teenage Mailbag on HSV-7 in 1957. Shortly after this, he decided to try his luck in London, gaining some work experience at the BBC. But a bigger break was to come with a three-year stint at Radio Luxembourg, where he performed under the name 'Ernie Williams'.
Sigley is remembered by some for his 1964 association with the Adelaide leg of The Beatles tour of Australia. In one press conference, Sigley's questioning of The Beatles about their rock influences, and being able to discuss them (e.g. Buddy Holly), brought about an enthusiastic response from John Lennon, which contrasted strongly from all the questions asked by other interviewers during the conference.
Sigley was host of the afternoon program on Melbourne's 3AW from 1996 until his retirement on Friday 7 November 2008. Regular fill-in presenter Denis Walter replaced Sigley from Monday 10 November 2008.
Sigley then took on a part-time role at the station replacing Paul Cronin as the fill in host on Nightline. Sigley partnered either Bruce Mansfield or Philip Brady in the Friday night slot. Sigley ended his radio career in January 2009 after a 57-year association with the industry, when it is believed he stormed out of a heated meeting with 3AW management.