RIP smooth fm’s Glenn Daniel: FUNERAL DETAILS

Glenn’s funeral will be held at 11am on Monday 20th December at St Paul’s Castle Hill, 421 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, Sydney.

View the service below (while available).

 


 

Renowned radio news journalist and much loved member of Australia’s radio industry, Glenn Daniel, died suddenly last night of what is believed to be a heart related illness.

He had just celebrated his 60th birthday on 23rd November.

During his career, which began in 1982, the Brian White Memorial Award recipient was News Director of four Sydney radio stations, including 10 years as Group News Director for the ARN Network. Most recently he was News Director at Nova Entertainment and co-host of Smooth’s Sydney breakfast show.

He had been off work for about two months and was planning to return after a recent heart operation. Glenn had also survived cancer.

Glenn’s Brother Terry Daniel says:

“My brother was an absolute mate.

“When I listened to people speak at his book launch a while ago it was evident that he was so well respected and revered in this industry. He gave back so much to so many. Glenn’s passing is a loss not just to our family but to the whole industry.

“Glenn was recovering from heart surgery and was looking forward to getting back to work after signing another five year contract. After that he was planning to retire.

“Thank you to everyone who is sending us thoughts and prayers on Glenn’s sudden passing.”

Glenn had had heart trouble for many years since being treated for lymphoma when he was aged 25. Two weeks ago he had stents put into his heart in a non invasive surgery procedure at the SAN hospital in Sydney and was taking time to recover before planning to return to work this month.

Paul Jackson, NOVA Entertainment’s Chief Programming & Marketing Officer paid tribute to Glenn saying:

“It is with a heavy heart that we at smoothfm have to share the devastating news that Glenn Daniel passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday.

“Glenn was a true gentleman, he had a beautiful soul, was kind, generous and had time for all. He was a consummate professional for his entire 39 year career in broadcast radio and journalism. In a career filled with many highlights and numerous awards, including the Brian White Memorial Award for journalism and his pride at being at the finish line when Cathy Freeman won Gold, Glenn worked across all formats during his distinguished career and had a huge impact on so many in the industry.

“Glenn cared so much for smoothfm and the station’s listeners. He would arrive at work at 2am to craft the news in his own imitable style and was a trusted source of news for many years for millions of loyal listeners. More recently he found a new passion in podcasting and created two award winning series of The Worst Day of Your Life, where he shared the stories of people who’d survived adversity and traumatic events and used their experiences to help others change their lives for the better.

“Glenn loved his kayaking, cricket and The Eels, but more than anything he loved his two boys Mark and James. They are very much in our thoughts now as is Glenn’s on air partner Bogart and the entire smoothfm family.”

Glenn was a trainer at AFTRS and mentored the careers of many journalists now working in Australia’s news industry. He was always available to give advice and support to up and coming journalists, and gave many their first jobs in his newsrooms.

Glenn can truly be said to have lived his life in radio. in fact it was the subtitle of his book.

The book details a career spanning seven iconic radio newsrooms and shares stories of behind-the-scenes events from 1982 to 2017.

He began as a cadet reporter at 2WS and has since held the position of News Director at four of Sydney’s key radio stations (2SM, WSFM, 2Day-FM and Triple M) and spent 10 years as Group News Director of the Australian Radio Network. In his career Glenn covered historic world events including reporting from the killing fields of Rwanda in 1994, the 9-11 tragedy in 2001 and being on the finish line as Cathy Freeman won gold at the Sydney Olympics.

After 35 years in radio news and beating both cancer and heart disease along the way, the opportunity to co-host a metropolitan breakfast show was something Glenn didn’t really believe would ever happen let alone be the success it is. Characteristically humble, Glenn attributed the show’s success to his co-host, Bogart Torelli in an interview with radioinfo in 2017.

In 2018 Glenn gave Radio Today an insight into his working day.

Ever one to champion good journalism, Glenn called out political harassment of journalists and offered his opinions on Jordan Shanks’ style of social media journalism in this article on Friendly Jordies.

Glenn’s whole family is involved in media. His brother Terry has worked in radio journalism most of his career and is now the proprietor of AIR News. His other brother Richard works in media in South East Asia. Glenn’s son Mark works at Triple M Melbourne and his other son James is in media in America.

Despite his recent health issues Glenn celebrated his 60th birthday last month with most of his family around him. They were also there to support him during his operation and recovery.

Funeral arrangements are now being made. We will update readers with details when they are available.

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Recent comments (19)
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Nikole Gunn
10 Dec 2021 - 11:41 am

A kind and beautiful man. Our industry is so much poorer for his passing.

Pariya
10 Dec 2021 - 12:37 pm

How sad! He was such a great mentor to myself and the students at AFTRS. Such a sweet soul too. Rest in peace Glenn.

Richard Goodridge
10 Dec 2021 - 12:42 pm

Very sad news.

Never did a finer gentleman and professional grace our industry.

Thank you and rest easy now dear Glenn.

Fyona Smith
10 Dec 2021 - 2:01 pm

Glenn was so kind, generous and encouraging. A true professional.
We have been deeply shocked and saddened by Glenn’s sudden passing.
Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues today.
A guest lecturer and mentor for well over ten years, Glenn ignited a ‘news spark’ in many and will be sorely missed.

Thank you for your generosity Glenn.

AFTRS Radio and Podcasting team (Fy, Jess, Tony, Dani and Taryn)

Ange Anderson
10 Dec 2021 - 2:20 pm

Never did a kinder soul enter a newsroom. Such an incredibly talented newsman too. A true legend of this industry and a brilliant mentor to many! Rest easy Glenn. You were loved beyond measure by colleagues and listeners alike.

Mark Dransfield
10 Dec 2021 - 3:52 pm

Shocked at this industry loss.. Glenn was a newsroom star at ARN with a writing style that was a joy to read. You could always tell which pre-dawn stories had the GD treatment, so you copied them straight over. I was surprised when Glenn turned co-host but he made a success of that, too. Vale, Glenn

Samantha Miles
10 Dec 2021 - 3:54 pm

I am so sorry to hear this news. I worked with Glenn on bringing his book News Time to life and he was an absolute dream to work with. He will be greatly missed I am sure and condolences to his family and friends.

Trevor Sinclair
10 Dec 2021 - 4:13 pm

I’m absolutely shattered at the news of Glenn’s passing. I loved his book, “A Life in Radio” which had many stories told from his heart that so many of us could identify with. We’d have those early morning chats in the carpark when he was doing smooth News and I was doing 2CH Breakfast. Always the gentlemen, always up for a yarn, and generally always smiling. R.I.P. you legend, our industry has lost one of its greats.

Karen Miller
10 Dec 2021 - 4:16 pm

Shocking and sad news. Glenn and I were at uni together, doing the same Communications degree. We both did Radio Production as a major. He was always a great talent and it’s been wonderful knowing he fulfilled his student promise and crafted such a fabulous career. I loved listening to him on Smooth, and remembering our student days whenever I heard his voice. Condolences to all his friends and family.

Paul
10 Dec 2021 - 7:42 pm

Glenn and I first met as 12 year olds when we both walked through the front gate of James Ruse Ag HS for our first day in “1st Form”. Glenn was later to become school captain in 1979. We crossed paths a number of times, mostly at the SCG test cricket and school reunions and we always chatted as if we had never left school. A friend and gentlemen then and always. I will miss your voice every morning.

Kerry Newman
10 Dec 2021 - 11:14 pm

So very sad to hear of Glenn Daniel’s passing. Most mornings I would listen to SmoothFM’s breakfast show with Bogart and Glenn. My thoughts and prayers are with Glenn’s family and everyone at SmoothFM at this difficult time. Rest In Peace Glenn Daniel.

Archie Arenson
11 Dec 2021 - 5:56 am

The world has lost one of the most generous, kind and inspiring individuals. A man I was so privileged to call a mentor and who, without fail, has always helped guide me on my journey with advice and friendship.

I’m going to miss you so much Glenn.

My thoughts are with your family.

Angela
11 Dec 2021 - 8:43 am

Always entertaining and part of my mornings RIP

Harry
11 Dec 2021 - 12:18 pm

My eyes are suddenly teary, i don’t get teary easily, and i dont even know what Glenn looks like but every morning on the way to work i love to hear smooth fm and how calm, kind, encouraging and gentle voice from Glenn as it gives you so much positive energy to face the day. Rest in peace Glenn. We love you!

Richard Beirne
11 Dec 2021 - 1:27 pm

RIP Glenn- I’m not “in” the industry but have always held a great interest in commercial radio. I remember as a kid/teen in the late 80s/90s, listening to Glenn on 2WS & WSFM… More recently of course on Smooth, but for various reasons not listened to that show for some time.
A very sad loss.

Janet
12 Dec 2021 - 6:19 pm

I’m so shocked and saddened to hear the passing of a true gentleman. I never met Glen but always listen to him and Bogart every morning and he came across as such a warm, caring and gentle soul. You could also feel the friendship between him and Bogart. I will miss him in the mornings. Sending a hug to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him. Sleep easy Glen.

Liz Swanton
20 Dec 2021 - 7:05 pm

The consummate professional and a truly special human being. The world is a sadder, darker place without you, Glenn Daniel. Fly free. So sad that I could not be at the funeral but send my deepest sympathy to his family, his ‘radio’ family and his friends.

Andy Cee
21 Dec 2021 - 9:18 am

Deeply saddened by the loss of a legend, a very kind and caring man. Thank you.

Lakshman Jayawardena
17 Jan 2022 - 8:57 am

I was a listener of smooth radio, everyday driving to work I never forget to listen to his clean voice. Suddenly, Ron Wilson ‘ s taking the role surprised me. I thought Glen has taken year end break. Today, when I switched the radio I heard Ron back at the radio with Borgat. Then I started googling to find what happened to him. I found today, 17th Jan 2022 that he has taken the internal holiday and in the custody of God almighty

May his soul Rest in Peace

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