Don Spencer
Australian children's TV presenter and musician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Donald Richard Spencer OAM (born 22 March 1941)[1] is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and former children's television presenter. He had a long tenure as a host on Play School on both the Australian version (1968–99) and the United Kingdom version (1972–88), one of only two presenters to work on both versions.[3]
Don Spencer | |
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Born | Donald Richard Spencer 22 March 1941 (aged 83)[1] Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia |
Children | 2, including Danielle |
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Years active | 1962[2]–present |
Labels | ABC Records |
Website | donspencer |
In March 1963, his first single, "Fireball" – the theme tune to a UK TV science fiction series Fireball XL5 – reached No.32 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2002, Spencer established the Australian Children's Music Foundation. On Australia Day (26 January) 2007, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) with the citation "for service to children's music and television as a songwriter and performer, and through the establishment of the Australian Children's Music Foundation". Spencer married Julie Horsfall, they have two children: Dean, a musician; and Danielle, an actress and singer, who was married to actor Russell Crowe between 2003 and 2018. In 2022, he celebrated his 60th year in the performing industry.