Seven News makes shocking error as they announce Hey Hey it’s Saturday star John Blackman’s death

Seven News Brisbane made an unfortunate mistake on Tuesday when announcing the death of John Blackman.

The news program announced the death of the Hey Hey it’s Saturday star, but misspelled John’s last name.

They wrote the Australian radio star’s surname as Blackwood instead of Blackman.

The error was shared with X by a viewer, who wrote: ‘Does anyone in TV news even check anything these days? Words are not enough.’

Another person agreed, adding, “Answer: No. They are millennials. They don’t do things like that.’

Seven News Brisbane made an unfortunate mistake on Tuesday when announcing the death of John Blackman

‘That’s horrible! That guy was iconic for our generation!’ a third commented.

John died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack, according to famed The Morning Show reporter Peter Ford.

He paid tribute to the ‘incredible’ radio legend on Channel Seven’s breakfast show and told how John had died at home after resting.

“John had come home and was resting yesterday afternoon. He came to the kitchen and said to Cecile, ‘I’m not feeling well. I’m going to sit on the couch for a while,” Peter said.

The reporter added that John was recently told he needed further surgery after his cancer returned following his life-saving surgery in 2018.

The news program announced the death of the Hey Hey it's Saturday star, but misspelled John's last name

The news program announced the death of the Hey Hey it’s Saturday star, but misspelled John’s last name

“He told me last week that he was going to have another operation on Monday because something had returned and he wasn’t happy about that,” he continued.

‘But I was told it wasn’t the cancer that took him. His wife Cecil called this morning to share the news.’

He then praised John for keeping his sense of humor throughout his difficult battle with cancer and paid tribute to the ‘wonderful artist’.

“Australia is a sadder country now that this news is coming out. John was an incredible man, he was a great performer on radio and television. Over the last few years he has been fighting this incredible battle against cancer,” he said emotionally.

John died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack, according to famed The Morning Show reporter Peter Ford

John died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack, according to famed reporter for The Morning Show, Peter Ford

‘His battle with cancer where they removed a large part of his jaw. He still went out and always found a way to laugh about things.

“If anyone was disarmed when he saw his appearance, he would immediately put them at ease. He had the ability to relax you and make you laugh.”

The legendary broadcaster had a hugely successful radio career spanning more than 50 years, but was best known for his character voices on the long-running variety TV show Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

John’s death comes just months after he opened up about his grueling battle with cancer, which saw him undergo a 12-hour surgery to remove his jaw in 2018.

John's death comes just months after he opened up about his grueling battle with cancer, which saw him undergo a 12-hour surgery to remove his jaw in 2018.

John’s death comes just months after he opened up about his grueling battle with cancer, which saw him undergo a 12-hour surgery to remove his jaw in 2018.

In 2022, John faced a second battle when he was diagnosed with brain cancer, which was removed with a six-hour surgery that left a titanium mesh plate in his head.

Not long before his death, John is said to have been told he would have to return to hospital for another operation this year after his cancer made a devastating return.

He is believed to have died of a heart attack and is survived by his wife Cecile, whom he married in December 1972, and his daughter Tiffany, 28.

Channel SevenJohn Blackman