FALLEN Australian TV presenter Fiona MacDonald has announced her own death three years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The 67-year-old was known for her iconic role as host of Australian show It’s a Knockout and children’s show Wombat.
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Australian TV star Fiona MacDonald announced her death on social media Credit: Channel 7
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Fiona with her two sons and their pet dog Credit: Family Collect
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Fiona, left, died three years after being diagnosed with motor neurone diseaseCredit: Instagram
A statement via her social media account read: “Goodbye friends.
“My sister Kylie is posting this because I’m out of the building. I hope I’m watching from the clouds.
“Last night ended a few very difficult months. It was very peaceful, the boys and Kylie stayed with me to say goodbye.”
The mother-of-two rose to fame in Australia when she became the face of the Wombat puppet show which followed Argo’s Cartoon Connection in the 1980s.
The Queensland-born celebrity was then known as the host of It’s a Knockout which earned her legendary status in millions of families in Australia.
During her career spanning two decades, she also appeared on Look Who’s Talking and In Brisbane Tonight.
Fiona later became a wine expert as she took time out from her TV roles in the early 2000s to start her own consultancy business.
She worked as a business development manager and PR and communications manager for wine marketers Fine Wine Partners.
Before starting her own PR consultancy Wine Chronicles in 2015.
After a successful career in film and the wine industry, the star was forced to call it quits after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in November 2021.
I carry your love and laughter with me and I hope you remember mine
Fiona MacDonaldTV icon
In her closing speech, she also touched on the difficulties she has faced in the last three years.
She wrote: “Although I never wanted to die, the thought of leaving my tortured body was a relief.
“The last few months have been tough. I haven’t been able to swallow normal food, the tube feeding that was supposed to keep me going has failed because my gut couldn’t tolerate any of the multiple brands of protein shakes.
– It went straight in and straight out.
The touching farewell message ended with Fiona telling her fans that this was not goodbye and that she would see them “again on the other side”.
She ended the message with the words: “May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warmly on your face.
“May the rain fall softly on your fields until we meet again. And may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
“I carry your love and laughter with me and I hope you remember mine.”
The message was accompanied by a picture of Fiona with her family and another of her with a bright smile on her face.
Symptoms of motor neuron disease
Muscle weakness and joint stiffness are common symptoms of motor neuron disease.
Other potential indicators of MND, which affects around 5,000 people in the UK, include muscle loss or wasting and problems with movement and mobility.
Numbness is also common, as are spasms, jerks, and spasms.
Many people will have problems with speech and communication, difficulty breathing and changes in saliva.
MND is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons.
These cells gradually stop working over time, but it is not known why this happens, the NHS says.
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After retiring from television, Fiona started a wine business Credit: Facebook
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Fiona has appeared in several TV shows during her career spanning two decades
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