‘Beautiful, beautiful man’: Former 3AW Breakfast co-host Dean Banks dies after cancer battle

Former 3AW presenter, Dean Banks, passed away last night after a long battle with cancer.

Dean was co-host of the Breakfast program with Ross Stevenson from 1990 to 2000. Together they created a program and style of broadcasting which can still be heard today.

He had a long career in radio around Australia and New Zealand with the highlight being 3AW Breakfast.

Dean was the ultimate gentleman and true professional, always helping those around him to do their best and not to dwell on mistakes which can happen making live radio. One favourite saying was “don’t worry it’s flying past Mars now” — don’t worry about the past, just make the next thing better.

Dean taught many people the craft of radio and how to make it sound effortless.

We all owe a lot to Dean and he will be sadly missed.

Our thoughts are with his wife Diana and extended family.

Ross Stevenson this morning remembered his former co-host as a “beautiful, beautiful man”.

Press PLAY below to hear Ross breaking the news

3AW Breakfast’s US correspondent, Bob Tarlau, said Dean was a “remarkable broadcaster” who brought him to the program almost 30 years ago.

“He was the one who called me, Ross, I think it was in 1992 and said ‘Would you like to be a regular of the Breakfast program?’,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Bob Tarlau and Ross Stevenson share their memories of Dean Banks

IN TRIBUTE: Some of Dean Banks’s most memorable on-air moments