John Burgess (host)

John Burgess
John Burgess
Born	John Richard Burgess; 4 June 1943 (age 81); Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Other names	Burgo; Baby John Burgess (nicknames)
Occupation	Australian television presenter & Radio personality
Years active	1965−present
Known for	Radio programming; 2UW); Breakfast (3AK); Breakfast (3MP); Breakfast (6PM; Breakfast (2CH); Breakfast (3MP); ; Television programs; Wheel of Fortune (Seven Network); Burgo's Catch Phrase (Nine Network); Pass the Buck (Nine Network);

John Richard Burgess (born 4 June 1943) is an Australian television and radio personality and host. He is often referred to as "Burgo" and also sometimes "Baby John Burgess" or "Baby John" from his radio days when he was then the youngest presenter at the station. He has been a staple of the industry for 58 years.^[1] He is best known for his long tenure hosting duties on the Australian version of game show Wheel of Fortune and as a breakfast radio host.

Radio presenter

Burgess has also hosted numerous radio shows throughout the years, he started in the industry when given a chance opportunity meeting John Laws, and joining his network radio station 2GB.

John Burgess Radio Timeline
2UW	1967–1970
3AK	1970–1974
2UW	1974–1976
3MP	1976–1978
6PM	1978–1988
2CH	1997–2004
3MP	2006–2009
6iX	2011–2015 2017–2023

On 25 September 2006, he started as breakfast show announcer for easy listening radio station 3MP in Melbourne.^[2]

On 12 December 2011, he took over from Johnny Young at 6IX Perth, departing the station in December 2015. Burgess returned to 6iX in a new timeslot on 22 April 2017.^[3]

Television hosting

Burgess moved into television in the 1970s, when hosting the teenage music show "Turning On" on the Seven Network station HSV7. The series feature many popular music artists and bands including Zoot and Gilian Fitzgerald, one of the main dancers, and featured Judy Moody and Christine Kelson.

Burgess also hosted the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune on the Seven Network, taking over from original host Ernie Sigley in 1984 and remaining until 1996. He then hosted Catch Phrase on Nine Network; it was eventually renamed Burgo's Catch Phrase.

He also hosted the game show Pass the Buck in 2002, also on Nine Network.

John Burgess joined the cast of the reality comedy series Balls of Steel Australia on The Comedy Channel in 2012.^[4]

Health concerns

It was announced in February 2022, that Burgess that been admitted to the ICU at Royal Perth Hospital, after having acquired a bacterial infection which caused sepsis. Since being treated for sepsis, Burgess has become an advocate for recognizing symptoms early. He also speaks on his experience as a survivor and continues to struggle with post-sepsis syndrome including fatigue and weakness.^[5]