Duncan's biggest test 'FAMILY WILL GET ME THROUGH'

The talkback host opens up about home, and two special people heartbreak

- Nicky Pellegrino

Duncan Garner is a man with a lot of opinions. Throughout his long career as a broadcaster, he's been a straight-talker and in his current role as the morning talkback host on Today FM, he certainly has plenty to say. But when his mum Sue and son Buster are in the room, he doesn't get quite so much airtime.

Duncan and Sue are very alike, all go and full of life, and young Buster, it seems, is following in their footsteps.  This is a family that has a lot of laughs and fun, and they stay close in good times and bad.

"It's easy to love these guys," says Duncan. "Mum's my rock she's so supportive, and she's always there for me and Buster."

"You've been my rock," Sue tells him. "I've been on my own for 12 years now and that's been tough. But Duncan's always there for me. We're each other's rocks. I think that's really important."

"And I'm a meteor," adds 12-year-old Buster, cheekily, not letting things stay serious for too long.

The Garners like spending time together. They are a sporting family, and Sue has been a regular on the sidelines cheering on her three children and then her grandkids. Now her youngest grandchild, Buster, plays rugby league and Sue never misses a match if she can help it.

She is just as proud of Duncan, tuning in to his show every morning. "I love it, it's a major part of my day," she says. 'I've learnt how to listen on my phone, so I can take it wherever I go now."

Like most mums, she worries about him not looking after himself, working too hard, or not getting enough exercise. She likes to send him off with home-cooked meals (Duncan reckons there are more of her plates at his place now than in Sue's apartment), and she is always ready with a listening ear and a few words of advice when they're needed.

"If there are any issues, I'll offload and tell her," Duncan confides. "Sometimes I wonder if I tell her too much."