Harrowing health update on Molly Meldrum- 18 months after he was last spotted in public exposing himself at a Rod Stewart concert

Aussie music icon Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum is ‘struggling’ with his health and has largely withdrawn from public life, a close source has revealed.

Next month will mark 50 years since Countdown, the long-running ABC music show that shot Meldrum to stardom, debuted on Aussie TV screens.

Meldrum, 81, who has been in headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years was a notable no-show at a Royal Australian Mint event in Melbourne  on Wednesday to launch a commemorative Countdown coin.

Former Countdown announcer Gavin Wood revealed his longtime mate has struggled with his health ever since his well-publicised fall off a ladder in December 2011 which almost killed him. 

‘The fall, it is all down to the fall, was a horrible thing to have happened,’ Wood told the Herald Sun.

‘He is 82 in January. He has been a public figure all his life and I think he is just enjoying a quieter life.

‘He is still Molly, still interested in music and still has it turned up to 11. He is still naughty, he has still got that spark that we love, but I think he is enjoying life being a normal person.’

Although Meldrum did not attend the coin launch, he did release a statement and snuck his famous catchphrase whenever he recommended an artist on the program.

‘I am left with such fond memories of those days and a show that will never be forgotten,’ Meldrum said.

‘We made a difference to the music industry in Australia and so I am thrilled to see commemorative coin being made. 

‘Do yourself a favour and get one. Iconic Countdown lives on.’

Wood said that his former colleague Meldrum would be ‘chuffed’ to see something ‘as beautiful and as imaginative’ as the coins commemorating the show he is synonymous with.

Meldrum with pop superstar Kylie Minogue at the Australian Music Vault launch in 2017

Wood, who was an announcer and occasional fill-in host for Countdown, that ran from November 8, 1974 until July 19, 1987, said the show was the product of Meldrum’s enthusiasm and foresight.

 The program was something Meldrum ‘lived, breathed, drank, consumed’ it was ‘everything’ to him, Wood said.

Meldrum has remained out of the public limelight ever since his last controversy 18 months ago.

In March 2023, Meldrum made headlines for exposing himself and appearing to urinate on the floor at a Rod Stewart concert in Melbourne.

A video obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed him exposing his privates near the end of the pop singer’s set at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

He appeared to urinate on the floor while looking up at the stage and wearing his trademark Stetson cowboy hat.

Meldrum and singer John Paul Young appear on stage at the Countdown Spectacular 2 at Sydney’s Rod Laver Arena in 2007

November marks 50 years since Meldrum (right) shot to fame as the face of Countdown. He’s pictured interviewing Elton John (left) in 1979

The alarming incident came after a string of other bizarre antics by Meldrum in recent years.

In January 2023, Meldrum caused a stir after dropping his pants during his old friend Sir Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

During his final act, the I’m Still Standing hitmaker brought Meldrum on stage for a rendition of The B**** Is Back.

Meldrum blamed a wardrobe malfunction but footage soon resurfaced showing him performing the same bum-barring antics in front of spectators at the 2022 ChillOut Festival in Daylesford, Victoria.