'Best of the best': Peter Overton reflects on the life of legendary broadcaster Brian Henderson - 9News

Peter Overton's first memory of Brian Henderson was as an 11-year-old sitting on the couch of his family home watching the evening news.

Today, more than four decades later, Overton is reflecting on the loss of a man millions of Australians will remember as a TV icon. For Overton, Henderson was also dear friend.

"He became a part of my life every night from that day on. From those years on…. And I'm now 55," Overton told 9News.com.au.

At the anchor desk: Brian Henderson hosted the Sydney weeknight news for Nine from 1957 until his retirement in 2002. (Nine)

"I remember when I went to Channel 9 in 1991, after all that time, I walked up to him and said: 'hello Mr Henderson, my name's Peter' and he looked at me and he said: 'call me Brian'.

Years later, Overton would sit alongside Henderson on the anchor desk to present the sport one night a week, to fill in for then Nine sports broadcaster Ken Sutcliffe.

For the past 12 years, Overton has presented Nine's flagship 6pm news, the same role Henderson once championed.

Overton's phone hasn't stopped ringing since earlier today after he received a message from Henderson's wife of more than 50 years, Mardi, sharing the heartbreaking news of his passing.

"I think my fondest memory as I kept in touch with him post retirement was I witnessed his phenomenal love story with his wife Mardi," Overton says.

"When I go over to his house every few months for morning tea, just to watch this care and commitment to each other, I think 'gee I hope that's how my life is at the same age. It was just glorious."

Overton says he and Mardi spoke earlier today.

"She said that he was at peace when he passed away and he was surrounded, he had Mardi and beautiful daughters Jodie and Nicole," Overton said.

"I've spoken to them this morning and they are naturally as a family just gathered and sitting and reflecting on this man who had, may I say, a wicked sense of humour and was so engaged in the news right up to his passing."

Overton pauses, thinking. Talk turning to Henderson's wit.

"But he was the best of the best. He had this twinkle in his eye, and he had this hilarious laugh," he says.

"I interviewed him a couple of years ago when his cancer came back and at the very end I said: 'thank you' and he said: 'I'll see you on the other side one day and we'll have a drink together'.

During his illustrious career Henderson won two Gold Logies. (Today)

"He always had a quip and he made you smile," he says.

Henderson hosted the Sydney weeknight news for Nine from 1957 until his retirement in 2002, becoming Australia's longest-serving news presenter.

He also hosted Bandstand from 1958 until 1972.

He won two Gold Logies,the first in 1968 as the host of Bandstand.

last year, Henderson sat down with Overton to talk about his health and then kidney cancer, his fifth cancer diagnosis.

As Overton wrote in this piece following the interview, Henderson has beaten melanoma, prostate, bowel and throat cancer over the years. But this time, he says he doesn't want major surgery and he will let nature take its course – simple as that.

Peter Overton has helmed Nine's 6pm Sydney news bulletin for more than a decade. (Cameron Williams/@camjwilliams)

"To this day, people stop me in the street – the older generation – and say 'do you ever hear of Brian?" Overton says.

"And I say 'yes I do' and they say 'oh, we loved him' and I'll say 'I'll be seeing him soon and I'll pass on your thoughts'. And then I'd bump into them again and I'd say: 'he was really chuffed'.

"And it's true. He's part of our lives. Every time I sit in the chair I think of Brian. Because it's a big chair to fill."

In recalling the last few phone calls he shared with Henderson, Overton says his friend expressed a great happiness with life.

"He said to me back in March when we were chatting, he said: 'I've had the most brilliant, happiest life, Peter. I'm so lucky'," Overton says.

"And I thought, what a sentiment to be able to express. And then he rang me in early May and he we a little frail of voice, but that glint and sense of humour was strong."

Peter Overton with his mentor and friend Brian Henderson. (Peter Overton/Twitter)

During their last conversation together, Henderson asked Overton for a final wish.

"He said 'Peter, one day when I leave, he said, I'd love you to speak at my service. And I said 'Brian, let's not talk like this," Overton says.

"And he said 'no, no, I just want you to know. And I wanted it to come from me.

"And that to me was one of the most extraordinary conversation one can have."

Henderson is survived by his wife Mardi and two daughters, Jody and Nicole.

He has two children from his first marriage.

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2021-08-05 01:46:48Z
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