Doug Mulray dead: Radio legend ‘Uncle Doug’ who soared to fame in 1980s before ‘career sabotage’ dies aged 71
AUSTRALIAN radio legend Doug Mulray has died at the age of 71.
Mulray died in intensive care in a Sydney hospital on Thursday night after reportedly struggling with a chronic illness for several months.
Radio 2GB in Sydney announced his death, saying he “hadn’t been well for a while”.
The presenter was one of the pioneering voices of Australian radio in the 1980s – and best known for his time at Triple M, which he helped launch.
Mulray – known as “Uncle Doug” – rose to fame on the ABC’s Double J in the late 1970s before joining Triple M in 1982.
As Sydney’s breakfast presenter he became a dominant force in the radio ratings at the network.
He retired from the public spotlight almost two decades ago.
In TV, Mulray featured on Australian TV shows such as Beauty and the Beast.
And in 1992, he hosted the infamous Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos – but the show’s only episode pulled by Nine Network owner Kerry Packer after 34 minutes.
In 2019, Mulray was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.
When he made a surprise appearance at a Triple M staff reunion in Sydney last year, he reportedly said: “When I left radio I was over it.
“I wanted the privacy and I kind of distanced myself… it was kind of like a fantasy.
“It always felt to be good to be with you guys. Be together. And I want to thank you for that.”
2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham remembered Mulray as one of the greats of the industry.
He said the veteran presenter was known for his “adrenaline-fuelled” broadcasts.
“If there’s a radio station in heaven, they better get the dump button ready, because Doug Mulray is coming,” Fordham said.
Mulray’s cause of death has not been released.