One of Australia’s most high-profile TV doctors and former Australian of The Year winner dies at the age of 94
- Aussie TV and radio doctor ‘James Wright’ John Knight has died at the age of 94
- He passed on Sunday, November 27, just two weeks out from his 95th birthday
- He was on Good Health Show, Mike Walsh Show and Midday in the 70s and 80s
Australia’s first celebrity radio and TV doctor James Wright has died at the age of 94.
Sydney’s 2GB radio host Ben Fordham paid tribute to Dr Wright – also known by his real name was John Knight – on Tuesday morning following the star’s death on Sunday.
Dr Wright was the host of The Good Health show on 2UE and the ‘merry medic’ on The Mike Walsh Show and The Midday Show in the 1970s and 80s.
He also wrote for well-known Australian magazine Dolly under its infamous sealed ‘Dolly Doctor’ section.
Famous TV and radio doctor John ‘James Wright’ Knight (above) died at the age of 94 on Sunday
During that time ‘media consultants’ from the medical field were not permitted to use their real name on air.
Dr Wright was just two weeks away from celebrating his 95th birthday when he passed on November 27.
‘I used to love how he’d say to people when they’d call in on the program “what’s your problem?”, so no medical mumbo jumbo,’ Fordham said.
‘People would call in and tell him what was happening. They would often raise things with Dr James Wright that they were too shy to raise with their own doctor.
Dr James Wright was Australia’s first celebrity doctor, frequently appearing on TV and hosting 2UE’s The Good Health Show
‘He would answer everyone’s questions. He was eccentric, he was intelligent, he was a joy to be around.’
Dr Wright was recognised for destigmatising major health issues, including the 1980s HIV-AIDS epidemic, and started a charity to house seniors in 1971.
Fordham said he was ‘lucky enough’ to work with Dr Wright during his time at 2UE and applauded the senior’s philanthropic work.
‘Away from the microphone and TV studio he did incredible things to help people,’ he said.
‘He set up a foundation which owned hundreds of units in high-rise buildings in Surfers Paradise and he would rent those apartments to struggling aged pensioners for one third of their income.
‘If people didn’t have money he would still offer them a place.
‘He did incredible things and we will pay tribute.’
Dr Wright was acknowledged for his charity work in 2017 when he was nominated for NSW’s Senior Australian of the Year.
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