Tragedy of the Australian TV presenter, loved by 40 million viewers around the world before Covid mental health problems and suicide – only for her widower to die two years later and their three girls to be orphaned

TV presenter Erin Jayne Plummer was loved by millions of viewers in Australia and abroad for her charm, bubbly character and ‘megawatt smile’, attracting a loyal audience to the advertorial shows and popular workout series she hosted.

Off camera, the 42-year-old was described as a “gold medal mom” to her three daughters, who loved ones said she doted on and were described as “mini-me’s” by their mother.

But Covid brought hard times, with friends saying she was struggling during the pandemic. In May 2022, after a lengthy battle with her mental health, Erin took her own life.

She left behind her heartbroken husband Alan and their three young daughters, while her passing also affected countless loved ones, friends and viewers.

Just two years after Erin’s death, the Plummer family is struck by a second tragedy. Alan was found dead under a cliff at Freshwater Beach, near the family’s Sydney home, on Sunday and is believed to have committed suicide.

The couple’s three daughters (aged 18, 15 and 11) are now orphans.

The eldest had only just graduated from high school and was celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday the night before her father’s body was found, a source told Daily Mail Australia.

Freshwater Beach, near the family home, had been Erin’s favorite seaside spot, and friends and loved ones gathered there to hold a sunrise vigil in her memory shortly after her death two years ago.

Prior to his death at the age of 49, Alan had struggled with mental health and medical problems, a source told the Mail. His wife Erin was 42 when she died.

Friends said at the time that she was no longer her “bouncy, energetic self” in the weeks before her death. “I wish we could have found a way out for her,” said a friend.

Colleagues at Studio 10, where Erin became a household name as an advertorial presenter, said they would miss her “sunshine” in the studio and that the channel “lost a bit of its shine” due to her untimely death.

Erin broke into the TV industry at a young age when she was plucked from hundreds of beachgoers in Sydney’s popular Manly to star in an NBC TV commercial as the ‘Face of Australia’.

The Australian Tourism Commission campaign also led to her being cast in Baywatch Australia.

She moved into TV presenting, appearing on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and was nicknamed ‘The Danoz Girl’ in reference to the home appliance company she often promoted.

She also hosted Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The educational aerobics TV series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40 million people at its peak and was broadcast in more than 80 countries.

If she hadn’t gone into television, Erin could have continued her sporting career – representing Australia and surfing lifesaving and synchronized swimming.

She competed in three synchro world championships and won 11 national titles, and was credited by a friend with encouraging her to pursue her Olympic swimming dreams.

Erin’s Studio 10 colleagues Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop announced the tragic news live on TV.

“Erin was just a beautiful person inside and out,” said her co-host Sarah Harris as she paid tribute to her colleague.

“We will miss your sunshine in the studio Erin Jayne, and all of us here send much love and strength to her family. You will be greatly missed,” Sarah Harris said.

Erin’s father Peter described her daughters as her ‘little mini versions of her’, and at her funeral the presenter’s eldest child shared her grief at the loss of her beloved mother.

“Every day that goes by, I still can’t believe she’s gone,” the 15-year-old said.

‘That a family of three girls will grow up without our mother. This is the thought I can’t get over.’

‘Mum was loved by everyone. She was selfless and gave her all taking my sisters and me to 40 activities every week.

“She brought so much light into the world that we didn’t know her heart was in so much pain.”

The teen concluded the touching tribute: “Mom, I hope Heaven treats you better than any of us ever could. She is no longer ours, but we are hers forever.”

Erin’s youngest daughter also spoke, telling those in attendance, “My mom was the best person ever. I will always love you, dear mother.’

After her death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Alan ‘keep the house running’. It raised nearly $28,000 and received a $10,000 donation from a single donor.

Neighbors also rallied around the family, cooking their meals and bringing them food in the wake of Erin’s death.

But it was her role as a TV presenter for which she was best known. Over the years, she’s promoted everything from massage chairs and exercise programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.

When she wasn’t in front of the camera, Erin also did numerous voice-overs for TV.

Alan was previously a director of a company called Shine VIP Tours Australia PTY LTD, which has since closed down.

He had only just sold the family’s four-bedroom Freshwater home in September as he planned to move to Queensland with his youngest daughter to be closer to his middle child, who is attending a school in the North is studying, a source told the newspaper. Mail.

The property, which was purchased by the Plummers in 2002 for $675,000, was initially listed for sale in March this year but was sold two months ago for an undisclosed sum before going to auction.

The tragedy has left the community in mourning, with locals devastated for the three young girls. “They are good kids,” the source said.

“Their parents have dozens of friends and the community comes together for them.”

UK: For help and support, call the Samaritans free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

AU: For confidential support 24/7, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond 1300 22 4636