Fears for Molly Meldrum as his health begins to worsen

Serious concerns are mounting within Australia's media industry over the health of iconic music figure Molly Meldrum, with whispers suggesting his condition may be far more dire than previously reported.

There have been intermittent reports about Meldrum's declining health for some time.

According to TV Blackbox, those close to industry circles now fear the situation has worsened significantly, with some suggesting the beloved star may be approaching a critical stage.

Meldrum, 83, has never fully recovered from the devastating fall he suffered at his Melbourne home in 2011 - an accident that changed the trajectory of his life. 

Since then, he has gradually retreated from the public eye, eventually withdrawing from public appearances altogether.

He now remains out of the spotlight, and it's understood he's being cared for by his partner Yan Wangngam at his home in Melbourne, while often receiving visits from close friends.

For many who crossed paths with Meldrum during his remarkable career, the news is particularly difficult to process. 

Back in March, the music industry veteran's long-time business manager told the latest issue of Woman's Day that while Meldrum is 'not as strong as he used to be', he's very much alive.

'The reality is he's had some issues,' Mark Klemens told the publication. 

'And he's getting older - he's 83 now - and, physically, he's not as strong as he used to be.

'But he's comfortable, and he's happy. He hasn't lost his razor-sharp wit, and he still has a drink. Life is just a lot quieter.'

Rumours of Molly's health decline emerged back in June 2024 when he failed to appear at the funeral of friend and Hey Hey It's Saturday co-star John Blackman.

There were further concerns over the state of Molly's condition in October 2024, when worrying photographs of the Australian music icon emerged.

Molly looked frail in the images shared by his partner Yan on social media.

They were in stark contrast to his more energetic appearance at the Australian Open ten months before.

In one photograph, the television legend seems to be sleeping on a couch in the couple's Melbourne home, without one of his trademark hats and with his mouth open.

In another picture, Meldrum appears bearded and lying on the verandah with one slender hand over his chest for what appears to be a daytime snooze.

A close friend said at the time that Molly was 'struggling' with his health and had largely withdrawn from public life.

Much to the surprise of associates, Molly missed an event held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABC's Countdown, which catapulted him to fame.

The show's announcer, Gavin Wood, revealed his longtime mate had struggled with his health ever since falling 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.

Molly later released a media statement recognising the Countdown milestone.

Wood said Countdown, which ran from November 8, 1974 until July 19, 1987, was the product of Meldrum's enthusiasm and foresight.

Meldrum has remained out of the public limelight ever since he made headlines for exposing himself and appearing to urinate on the floor at a Rod Stewart concert in Melbourne in March 2023.

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.

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