BRIAN HENDERSON ‘I'VE HAD A WONDERFUL LIFE'

The legendary newsreader is preparing to say farewell after refusing treatment for his fifth cancer diagnosis

You can almost hear Brian Henderson say “that’s the way it is” as the legendary Nine newsreader looks death in the face with quiet courage and the smile that brought so much warmth and confidence to generations of Australians.

This time around Brian, 88, has decided to let nature take its course after electing not to have surgery to remove a tumorous right kidney, preferring to spend what time he has left with his wife Mardi, daughters Nicole and Jody and his five grandchildren.

He retired from Nine in 2002 after an incredible 47 years on TV, first as the host of Bandstand and then as the anchor of Nine News, but remains a legend to millions of Australians, including his replacement, current Nine newsreader Peter Overton.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK

“He has beaten melanoma, prostate, bowel and throat cancer over the years but this time, he says he doesn’t want major surgery and he will let nature take its course – simple as that,” reveals Peter, who says he “revelled” in Brian’s positivity when they caught up last week.