Billy J. Smith
Billy J. Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | William John Smith 4 January 1946 |
| Died | 27 February 2019 (aged 73) Brisbane, Queensland |
| Occupation(s) | radio presenter, television host |
| Known for | rugby league commentary, radio announcing, hosting TV shows |
| Television | It's a Knockout, The Footy Show, Sportscene, Eyewitness News |
William John Smith (4 January 1946 – 27 February 2019) was an Australian television and radio presenter.[1]
He is best known for hosting the national game show It's a Knockout as well as for his rugby league commentary.[2]
Radio
Smith began his radio career at 4LG in Longreach where he adopted "Billy J Smith" as his on-air moniker after the station manager's reluctance in having someone simply called "Bill Smith" on air.[3] Smith then went to 4LM in Mount Isa before returning to Brisbane where his profile grew during stints at 4IP (becoming one of "The Good Guys") and 4BK during the 1970's and 1980's.[1][3][4]
At 4BK, Smith would commentate on rugby league games at Lang Park while on top of a cherry picker on the other side of the boundary fence, in violation of the exclusive rights deal struck between Queensland Rugby League and an opposing radio station.[5] This caused friction between Smith and the QRL's Ron McAuliffe, a dispute which would resurface during preliminary discussions about a potential State of Origin series between Queensland and New South Wales.[5]
His radio continued into the next century and in 2007 was named as the host of Sports Today on 4BC.[6]
Television
Smith's television career began in the 1960's on TVQ hosting a game show called The Numbers Games.[7] In 1973, he hosted Sportscene on BTQ for five years from 1973.[8]
In the late 1970's, Smith took a break from radio and television and went to work for International Sports Management, owned by Barry Maranta. It was there where Smith helped Maranta instigate a State of Origin series for rugby league after studying an Aussie Rules state of origin in Perth in 1978.[5] This led to Smith notably called the very first State of Origin game as a rugby league commentator for Channel 7 at Lang Park in 1980 as well as early Brisbane Broncos games.[1][3]
From 1985, Smith co-hosted the national game show It's a Knockout with Fiona McDonald on Network 10 which was filmed on location at Dural in New South Wales until noise complaints from local residents shut down production in 1987.[9] It is this role he is arguable most remembered for. A 2011 revival offered "The Billy J. Smith Cup" as its grand prize.[9]
Throughout the 1980's, Smith was a sports presenter for TV0 Eyewitness News on TVQ but was let go from the station in 1989, reportedly to allow the station to budget for the arrival of new news presenter Bruce Paige in 1990.[10]
Smith was the host of the first local Queensland edition of The Footy Show which went to air on QTQ on 17 March 1994.[11] Smith was later replaced by Chris Bombolas before the program was later axed in favour of the station taking the Sydney version of The Footy Show.[11]
Death
Smith suffered serious head injuries during a fall in Caxton Street on 26 February 2019.[12]
He didn't regain consciousness and died at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital on 27 February 2019 when his family turned off his life support machine.[13][14]
His funeral was held on 8 March 2019 at Holy Spirit Church in New Farm which was attended by an array of notable sportspeople and media personalities.[15] The theme song from It's a Knockout played at the conclusion of the service.[15]
After his death, he was posthumously inducted into Suncorp Stadium's Media Hall of Fame by Queensland sports minister Mick de Brenni.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Broadcaster and Commentator – Billy J Smith". Suncorp Stadium. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Garcia, Jocelyn (27 February 2019). "Sports commentator Billy J Smith dies after a fall". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ a b c Colman, Mike (2 March 2019). "Column: Mike Colman". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Good Guys make Back to 4IP Weekend a huge success". radioinfo. 25 October 2004. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ a b c Malone, Paul (1 March 2019). "Witty character Billy J Smith leaves lasting legacy at Broncos". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "In the last of the big program changes at 1116 4BC..." radioinfo. 13 December 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Obituary: Billy J Smith". TelevisionAU. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Colman, Mike (27 February 2019). "Legendary broadcaster Billy J Smith dead". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
He came to Channel 7 to host Sportscene in 1973...
- ^ a b Knox, David (28 February 2019). "Vale: Billy J. Smith". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "King Wally will 'stay' a Bronco". The Canberra Times. 24 January 1990. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
Lewis, his Brisbane business manager and rugby league commentator Billy J Smith, David Fordham and Ten sports reporter Terry Kennedy have all gone, to make way for the station's new news anchorman Bruce Paige
- ^ a b Cutts, Adrian (3 March 2019). "Vale: Billy J. Smith". Kuttsywood's Couch. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Colman, Mike (27 February 2019). "Billy J. Smith dead after fall in city street". The Australian. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Gunn, Nikole (28 February 2019). "Vale Billy J Smith". Radio Today. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Masters, Rebecca (27 February 2019). "Queensland media personality Billy J Smith dies aged 73". Nine News. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
He died in hospital today after his family made the decision to turn off his life support
- ^ a b Honnery, Chris (9 March 2019). "Family remembers Billy J Smith as 'emotional man'". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2022.