Denise Drysdale’s sudden exit from Hey Hey It’s Saturday sent shockwaves through Australia 20 years ago, her return is no less dramatic, Glen Williams and Steve Jackson report.
Her name may be synonymous with the golden era of Hey Hey It’s Saturday, but Denise Drysdale reveals she endured an excruciating wait before receiving a last-minute invitation to take part in the show’s reunion.
Despite indicating her availability for the two-part special, the former co-host was snubbed for the first instalment this Wednesday, and she feared a 10-year-old rift with Daryl Somers would prevent her playing any part at all in the highly anticipated catch-up.
Indeed, the double Gold Logie winner, better known as Ding Dong to adoring fans, was resigned to watching the festivities from her lounge room when she was belatedly offered a role in the finale next Wednesday.
While she won’t be reprising her role alongside Daryl — instead settling for an appearance in a single segment — Denise insists she is thrilled to be involved in recreating the magic of Hey Hey.
“They left it to the last minute, but I’m overjoyed I’m going to be taking part in the reunion,” Denise says. “I’m going to be in a panel for one segment, which is like a quiz thing. It’s going to be heaps of fun and I can’t wait for it — I’m as happy as a pig in chiffon.
” Denise became a vital part of the Hey Hey team after she replaced Jackie MacDonald in 1989, but adoring audiences were stunned when the popular co-host was dumped barely a year later, with rumours rife that she and Daryl did not get on.
Although she has never commented about her sacking, Denise, now 60, concedes there was friction between her and the show’s iconic front man.
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