Hey Hey it's Saturday star dies aged 76 after cancer battle

Blackman worked in radio from 1969 but was best known for his 28-year stint as announcer and character voice-over for the Nine Network's Hey Hey It's Saturday, Australia's longest-running variety show.

He famously voiced the character Dickie Knee who popped up in front of presenters of the show to crack jokes.

He began his career in 1969 at 2GN Goulburn as an announcer and newsreader.

In 1974 he joined 3AK where he hosted the morning show until 1975 when he moved to Sydney to join 2UE as a "floating announcer".

He returned to 3AK Melbourne in 1979 to host the breakfast show until 1981. Later that year, he joined 3AW to host their breakfast show with Paul Barber.

Blackman also had a long running stint with Triple M Adelaide and was co-host of The John Blackman & Jane Reilly Breakfast Show between 2004 to 2007.

His stint on Hey Hey it's Saturday ran from 1971 to 1999.

Other television shows Blackman appeared on and announced for included The Paul Hogan Show, The Daryl Somers Tonight Show and Family Feud.

Blackman was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019 and underwent surgery to remove part of his jaw. He is believed to have died from a heart attack.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford shared the news on the Seven Network saying Blackman was "an incredible man".

"He was a beautiful performer on radio and television, in recent years, of course, he's put up this incredible cancer fight," Mr Ford said.

Journalist Hugh Riminton described him as the "all-conquering 3AW breakfast host when I worked there in the mid-80s"

Riminton said he was "quick-witted and warm both on and off-air. A delight to be around. His courage through his cancer battles was something to behold."

Derryn Hinch said Blackman "handled his illnesses so bravely".

"We had some huge rows but he was the fastest ad-lib man ever," he wrote.

Blackman is survived by his second wife Cecile and adult daughter.