TV and radio star Jonathan 'Jono' Coleman has died at the age of 65.
The Australian celeb died after a five-year battle with prostate cancer, the Mirror reports.
He is survived by two children and his wife Margot, who described Coleman as her 'soulmate' and said they had lived a 'wonderful life' together.
Margot said she and their children had been by her husband's side when he passed away.
She said in a statement: "Jono and I have been soulmates for close to 40 years. We have been fortunate to have lived a rich and wonderful life and I have been lucky enough to watch up-close someone with enormous talent and the special gift to make people laugh.
"I will miss him beyond words and with the support of our gorgeous children, Oscar and Emily, and their partners, we will continue to live in the manner that he wanted."
Coleman had initially kept his prostate cancer diagnosis a secret for over a year, before deciding to share his story to raise awareness.
Coleman's career began in Australia in 1979, when he reported for children's TV show Simon Townsend's Wonder World.
He then moved to the UK where he joined the Virgin Radio presenting team as one half of Russ 'n' Jono with partner Russell Williams.
He was sacked from Virgin by his former rival, and new boss, Chris Evans in 2011 on a return visit to Australia, before going on to work at London's Heart Radio and the BBC.
Following news of his death, Williams tweeted about his former colleague with pictures from their radio career, writing: “We had the best of times & right now it feels like the worst of times. My thoughts & love are with Margo, Emily, Oscar & Jono’s sister Sharon. Rest easy ‘Little buddy’ and ‘Thank You Very Much Indeed’. Blessed to have had him in my life.”
Alongside a picture of Coleman, BBC Radio London also paid tribute to their former colleague.
They tweeted: “We are so sad at the news that our former colleague Jono Coleman has died from cancer at the age of 65. Our thoughts are with Jono’s wife Margot and his children today.”
Australian comedian Adam Hills said Coleman had been “One of my early radio heroes, and one of the nicest people I ever met”.
He tweeted: “I used to wake up to his voice back when radio alarm clocks were a thing. A ball of positive energy who scaled the heights of the industry in both the UK and Australia.”
Presenter Jeremy Vine described Coleman as a “giant of radio”.
Coleman won Celebrity Fit Club in 2005 before heading back to his native Australia with wife Margot to be closer to his family.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2018, Coleman said his diagnosis came about because he was encouraged to go undergo blood tests every six months after appearing on the ITV show.
"They made me get my act together because my dad had died of a heart attack at 62 – the age I am now – and his mother had died young. They put me on statins and said, ‘If you want to see your children grow up you have to change your lifestyle,' he said.
"I was supposed to be going to farewell drinks for a colleague, but instead I was lying on the exam table of Professor Phillip Stricker of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney with his finger up my bottom.
"This is a different way to spend a Friday afternoon!’ I thought.
"And he just said, straight out, ‘Your prostate is enlarged, there’s a hard lump on the side, and I’d say you’ve got cancer.’ I thought, ‘Jesus, what’s happening?’"
He continued: "I was there on my own: my wife Margot, who produces commercials, was about to fly off to film an ad for Toyota, and it’s not the sort of news you break on the phone. I had a radio show to do that evening. I was stunned."
He said his wife had been 'fantastic' from the moment he told her over the phone about the diagnosis.
The presenter said he also received a supportive message from Stephen Fry, who also endured a battle with prostate cancer.
Coleman later discovered the cancer had moved from the bone to his lymph system and had become aggressive.
He underwent chemo and radiotherapy and monthly injections into his stomach to try and fight the disease.
Throughout his treatment, the presenter carried on working and said he didn't want viewers to wonder what was wrong with him.
"I haven’t allowed myself to be negative," he said. "You need to take it seriously but not freak out."
"And don’t forget to count your blessings and make the most of each day," he added.
