Radio veteran and respected sports broadcaster David Morrow has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Fellow broadcaster Ray Hadley announced the news on Friday, confirming the 71-year-old had retired from his media career “immediately”.
Morrow is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Stream the world’s best reality, entertainment and true crime shows for free on 7Bravo on 7plus >>
“David and the family decided they wanted me to break the news to not just our media colleagues but the millions of listeners David has connected with in a career that’s lasted more than 45 years,” an emotional Hadley said on Radio 2GB.
“Thirsty, as he’s widely known, has started radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
“I just want to share with everyone how much and why I love this fellow broadcaster so much.”
Hadley said his colleague learned of the diagnosis before Christmas.
“He’s a man of some substance,” Hadley went on.
“About a month ago, David advised his mates on the Continuous Call Team and management of Nine Radio that he would be retiring from duties immediately.
“We were all shocked to find out, after a couple of serious incidents during the off-season, that David had been diagnosed with brain cancer.”
Morrow began working as a general announcer in Kempsey in 1971.
After becoming the go-to local sports broadcaster, he was part of the ABC’s coverage of television and radio rugby league since 1980.
In the 1990s, he went on to be ABC’s Sydney race caller and a member of the ABC’s Olympic and Commonwealth Games broadcast team since 1984.
He has covered eight Olympic and six Commonwealth Games during his career.
The radio personality was awarded an OAM in 2005 for services to the community, sport and sports broadcasting.
