Greg Quicke: BBC star known as ‘Space Gandalf’ who worked with Professor Brian Cox dead at 62

Australian famed astronomer and BBC star Greg Quicke died earlier this week at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with cancer last year.

The Western Australian native was born in 1961 and, as a TV presenter, co-presented a series of astronomy specials on the BBC and ABC called Stargazing Live with Professor Brian Cox.

He was affectionately known as ‘Space Gandalf’ thanks to his strong resemblance to the Lord of the Rings character played by Sir Ian McKellen.

Quicke’s family said in a statement that he helped viewers better understand the cosmos.

“He brought the universe to all of us and translated it into a language we all understood,” they said.

‘He was watched by millions of people around the world and carried out his life’s work with inspiring spirit and freedom.’

English TV presenter Bill Bailey interviewed him as part of his series Wild West Australia, in which Quicke explained what he liked most about his job.

‘It brings me a lot of joy. Everyone thinks it’s all about stars, but it’s not… it’s about people,” Quicke told him.

He also presented a ten-part miniseries for the ABC called A Stargazers Guide to the Cosmos, and wrote several books on the subject.

The Western Australian native was born in 1961 and, as a TV presenter, presented a series of astronomy specials on the BBC and ABC called Stargazing Live.

BBC presenter Professor Brian Cox (right) paid a fitting tribute to Greg on social media

In addition to his TV work, he was also a popular tour guide and over the years had taken more than 100,000 people on a guided trip to see WA’s breathtaking constellations.

Professor Brian Cox paid a fitting tribute to Quicke on social media: ‘I love what he wrote about seeing the solar eclipse in 2023. “My body is exhausted, my heart full, I fall into a deep eclipse-nourished community with the other worlds.”

“I hope he’s there now,” Cox concluded.

Quicke is survived by a daughter, his parents and sister.