Celebrities have taken to social media in droves to post touching tributes to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in the wake of his death on Wednesday.
And speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Australia’s own version of the pleasure-seeker, The Candyman (aka Travers Beynon) has remembered the star in his own way.
Referring to Hugh as one of his ‘icons’, Travers said he was saddened by the news and explained the impact the 91-year-old had on his life.
‘My initial thoughts were quite eerie’ In the wake of Hugh Hefner’s death, The Candyman aka Travers Beynon (pictured centre) paid tribute to Playboy founder in an interview with Daily Mail Australia on Thursday
‘To hear of his death, even though he was 91 was a shock as he has been such an icon for so many years,’ Travers said.
He continued: ‘The first thought that came to my head was the memory of being 10 years old and having Playboy magazines under my bed as I’m sure was the same for so many other boys.
Travers, who is known for his own playboy lifestyle and sharing raunchy photos of naked women he associates with, also joked: ‘But like everyone else, I only bought Playboy for the articles…’
‘The first thought that came to my head was the memory of being 10 years old and having Playboy magazines under my bed’: Travers reminisced about the impact Hugh (left) had on his life from young age
Sad loss: Travers said he was ‘shocked’ by Hugh’s death on Wednesday night despite the fact he was 91
The Gold Coast tobacco tycoon had nothing but praise for his multi-millionaire idol and explained he thought Hugh had a positive influence on the world.
‘Apart from the Playboy persona, what was most impressive to me was his tenacity to change the way the world looked at sex and naked women,’ he gushed.
Travers was also impressed by Hugh joining the fight for gay rights in the 1950s.
‘What was most impressive to me was his tenacity to change the way the world looked at sex and naked women’: Travers, known for his own risqué lifestyle gushed about Hugh’s effect on the world
The Australian businessman also revealed he had been working on the guest list for his infamous annual Candy Shop Mansion Party when he learned of Hugh’s passing.
‘My initial thoughts were quite eerie because in my lifetime my 2 icons, Gianni Versace and Hugh Hefner, have now both passed,’ he said.
He added: ‘I would personally like to wish my condolences to his family.’
‘I would personally like to wish my condolences to his family’: Travers extended his thoughts to Hugh’s loved ones