You will all recall the fun we had at Dennis Shore’s District Conference in Albury, in 2013, and how MC John Blackman entertained us with clips from “Hey Hey, its Saturday!”.
We include an update on John’s health from 9News.
Television great John Blackman says he is "very healthy" despite being about to undergo major surgery on his face.
The 72-year-old Hey Hey It's Saturday star, best known for his character Dickie Knee, revealed in an interview to 9News he was as 'fit as a fiddle' even after his life-changing operation 18 months ago.
Blackman lost his jaw to an aggressive form of skin cancer, known as basal-cell carcinoma, in August 2018 after discovering what he thought was "just a little pimple" on his chin.
He had his jaw removed and replaced with a part of his thigh bone following a marathon 10-hour operation.
"I sound awful and I probably look awful but believe it or not I'm a very, very healthy," he said to 9News today.
"To me it's still the same John Blackman voice just how it comes out is slightly different.
"They didn't take out the voice box, they didn't take out the motor, just the exhaust sounds a little woofy."
Blackman will be readmitted into Melbourne's The Alfred Hospital tomorrow to start the process of getting teeth and a lower lip.
He first shared the news of his upcoming surgery on Twitter with a photo yesterday.
"My website, Facebook and Twitter postings will be inactive for a few days as I prepare for another round of facial and dental surgery at The Alfred — updates recommence early March — to paraphrase Jeff Fenech, 'I love youse all - see you on the other side," he posted.
Blackman said the response he received online from his supporters and fans was overwhelming.
"I don't know how to describe it," he said.
"I was very enamoured by the fact there's so much love out there."
Doctors had previously warned Blackman the surgery to his face could alter his voice and subsequently end his career.
But he remains determined to prove his plastic surgeon wrong.
"He said you will never ever be able to stand in front of a microphone again or stand in front of a crowd at a conference," Blackman said.
"But I'm a pretty determined sort of a guy, determined I will be back in front of a crowd and back in front of a microphone."
The TV veteran hopes to be "back to normal" in September, with an added 'bite' to his witty personality.