Michael Gibson dead – Beloved Aussie kids’ TV star ‘Gibbo’ dies aged 69 after ‘hard to watch’ dementia battle

AUSTRALIAN TV star Michael ‘Gibbo’ Gibson has died at the age of 69 after a battle with dementia.

The children’s presenter was best known for appearing on Channel 7 series Agro’s Cartoon Connection.

It ran from 1990 to 1997, becoming one of the best-loved kids’ shows of the decade in Australia.

Gibson produced and featured in the series as the character Gibbo.

Dad-of-two Gibson was diagnosed with dementia 18 months ago.

His heartbroken wife Carol described him as the “brightest of us” in a tribute on Facebook.

She said: “Many of you may know by now of the passing of my lovely husband Michael.

“He left us after another dementia battle and, while it was sad to watch, I’m grateful he’s now free.

“He was the brightest of us and we were so fortunate to share his time.”

Jamie Dunn, who voiced and operated the puppet Argo on the show, also shared a tribute to the star.

He said: “Farewell my funny friend. You were hilarious 100 per cent of the time!

“I have nothing but wonderful memories of you.”

Gibson studied at NIDA alongside Mel Gibson and Judy Davis.

He became a director in the 1970s before switching to in front of the camera by the early 1980s.

Gibson then went on to perform comedy on the B105 radio programme.

B105’s Brenden Wood said: “Sad to hear that Michael ‘Gibbo’ Gibson, one of the three amazing ‘writers/voices out in the back room’ for the B105 Morning Crew, died yesterday.

“Gibbo supplied high-quality comedic content to B105 for 15 years… He made a lot of people laugh.”