Molly Meldrum statue vandalised for second time after diggers attack bronzed music guru

A statue immortalizing Australian music industry icon Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum has been vandalized for a second time.

The statue of the 81-year-old Countdown presenter was created by artist Louis Lauman and is located in Wangaratta Street Park in Richmond, Victoria.

He is pictured wearing his famous Stetson hat and an Egyptian-themed T-shirt, giving a thumbs up with one hand while carrying his beloved dog Ziggy in the other.

Last month, the larger-than-life effigy fell victim to foul play when hooligans tried to dig up the bronzed guru.

Although it is unclear whether they attempted to steal or topple the statue, the unauthorized excavations caused significant damage to the local monument.

Yarra City Council has since removed the statue for repairs.

It is not the first time that the tribute to Molly has come under fire.

In 2023, Molly’s statue was defaced with red paint and graffiti.

Last month, the larger-than-life effigy fell victim to foul play when hooligans tried to dig up the bronzed guru. Pictured

The vandals left the effigy crying tears of blood, his leg and jacket were tagged and not even Molly’s dog was spared.

The pampered dog’s body was colored red.

The news comes as Molly continues to struggle with ill health.

Meldrum looked frail in several recent images shared by his friend, Thai businessman Yan Wongngam.

They are in stark contrast to his more energetic performance at the Australian Open in January.

In a photo shared on social media, the bald television legend appears to be sleeping on a couch in the couple’s Melbourne home, without one of his signature hats and with his mouth open.

In another photo, Meldrum appears bearded and lying on the porch with a slender hand across his chest for what appears to be a daytime nap.

Meldrum has “struggled” with his health and has largely withdrawn from public life, a close source revealed

November marks 50 years since Countdown, the long-running ABC music show that made Meldrum famous, debuted on Australian TV screens.

Meldrum, who has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent years, was a notable no-show at a Royal Australian Mint event in Melbourne last Wednesday to launch a commemorative Countdown coin.

The show’s host Gavin Wood revealed that his long-time partner had struggled with his health since almost falling off a ladder in December 2011.

It is not the first time that the tribute to Molly has come under fire. In 2023, Molly’s statue was defaced with red paint and graffiti. Pictured

Worrying photos of Australian music icon Molly Meldrum have emerged as the 81-year-old continues to struggle with his health. Meldrum is pictured with friend Yan Wongngam

In one photo, the bald television legend appears to be sleeping on a couch in his Melbourne home, without one of his signature hats and with his mouth open

“The fall, it’s all due to the fall, was a terrible thing,” Wood said the Herald Sun.

‘He will be 82 in January. He has been a public figure all his life and I think he is just enjoying a quieter life.

‘He’s still Molly, still interested in music and still has it turned up to 11. He’s still mischievous, he still has that spark that we love, but I think he’s enjoying life as a normal person.’

Although Meldrum did not attend the coin launch, he did release a statement and sneakily added his famous catchphrase whenever he endorsed an artist on the program.

“Do yourself a favor and buy one,” he said. ‘Iconic Countdown lives on.

‘I have such fond memories of that time and a show I will never forget.

“We’ve made a difference to Australia’s music industry and that’s why I’m thrilled to see commemorative coins being created.”

Wood said his former colleague would be “delighted” to see something “as beautiful and imaginative” as the coins commemorating the show that made him a household name.

In another photo, Meldrum is bearded and lies on a pillow on the back porch with a slender hand across his chest for what appears to be a daytime nap.

Meldrum looks weak as he poses for a photo with his friend