John Reginald Hamblin[1] (18 March 1935 – 21 September 2022), known affectionately as "Funny John"[2] or "Naughty John",[3] was a British-born Australian children's television presenter and actor of stage and screen who appeared in theatre productions, soap operas and made-for-TV films.
Hamblin was a presenter on the Australian children's television program Play School for 29 years, from 1970 to 1999. He featured in more than 350 episodes and became the second-longest-serving presenter in the program's history, after Benita Collings, with whom he often presented.[4]
Early life
Hamblin was born on 18 March 1935[1][5][page needed] in Ash, Surrey, England,[1] and grew up in Suffolk. When Hamblin's mother moved in with the local baker, his father moved the rest of the family to Norfolk. He lost contact with his mother at that point.[6] Hamblin's father had flown with the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, and Hamblin himself joined the Air Force and did his national service in Cyprus in the late 1950s before returning to England.[6]
Hamblin initially trained at art school for six months but decided on a career in acting instead, and he studied drama to become an actor.[6]
Career
Theatre
Hamblin started his acting career in England in repertory theatre with the Theatre Royal, Windsor. He also worked in old time music hall.[6]
After emigrating to Australia, Hamblin continued to work in theatre over 25 years, from 1970 until 1995, including Blithe Spirit and a stage show of Play School.[7]
Known as being irreverent and inserting double-entendres into skits,[16] Hamblin was the second-most-prolific presenter of Play School, appearing in 357 episodes from 1970 to 1999,[6] while fellow presenter Benita Collings appeared in 401 episodes.[4] On the show, Hamblin would sing, read stories, make crafts, play with the toys and educate children about such things as telling the time and the days of the week.[17] Hamblin is especially remembered for his presenting partnership with longtime hosts Benita Collings and Noni Hazlehurst.
Hamblin returned briefly for a special guest appearance in 2016, as part of Play School's 50th anniversary special.[18][19]
Many bloopers of Hamblin's time on Play School have since resurfaced, most of which feature him forgetting lines or making sexually explicit jokes.[20]
Personal life
Hamblin came to Australia in the 1960s as a "Ten Pound Pom" with his second wife, Wendy.[6] After Play School, he retired and moved to Tasmania with his third wife, Jenny,[2] whom he married in 1984.[6] He had two children, Emma and Myles.[12][21] He suffered a heart attack[6]in 2003[citation needed]. In 2008, he published his memoirs, Open Wide, Come Inside, with Peter Richman.[6][22]
Hamblin died at a hospital in Sydney on 21 September 2022, aged 87.[12][21]
^Murray, Scott (1996). Australia on the Small Screen, 1970–1995: The Complete Guide to Tele-features and Mini-series. Oxford University Press. p. 21. ISBN9780195539493.
^ abc"John Hamblin". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
^Bridekirk, Susan (September 1986). "Scot of the Pacific". Cinema Papers. No. 59. p. 49. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
^Adams, Cameron (3 September 2001). "Television". Herald Sun. Melbourne. p. 95. ProQuest360266051. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022 – via ProQuest.
