Glenn McGrath has broken his silence after Sunrise presenter Mylee Hogan made an uncomfortable on-air joke that the cricketing great died last week.
Hogan made the bizarre gag following a report of a TikTok trend in which children film their parents’ shock when they are mistakenly told a favorite celebrity has died.
The segment stunned her co-hosts, who attempted to move on to an interview with former fast bowler McGrath, but Hogan then blurted out, “Glenn McGrath has died!”
Glenn McGrath (left) has broken his silence after Sunrise presenter Mylee Hogan (right) made an uncomfortable on-air joke that the cricket great died last week
McGrath spoke about the controversial moment at the Jane McGrath High Tea and Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Friday morning. He is pictured with his children and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Her remark prompted a shocked reaction from her co-hosts Mark Beretta and Edwina Bartholomew.
When asked about the controversy during the annual Jane McGrath High Tea and Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday morning, the McGrath Foundation co-founder and president confirmed he had been in contact with Hogan.
“We spoke, everything is fine,” McGrath said.
Hogan, the granddaughter of “Crocodile Dundee” star Paul Hogan, has not been seen on the Sunrise panel podium since she made the remarks about McGrath.
On Thursday she appeared again as a reporter on the show.
Hogan made the bizarre gag following a report of a TikTok trend in which children film their parents’ shock when they are mistakenly told a favorite celebrity has died. The segment stunned her co-hosts, who attempted to move on to an interview with former fast bowler McGrath, but Hogan then blurted out, “Glenn McGrath has died!”
Hogan (left) had only been welcomed to the show as a permanent studio host on December 23 before breaking out on December 28. Her remark drew a shocked reaction from her co-hosts Mark Beretta and Edwina Bartholomew
After Bartholomew and Beretta made the gag about McGrath last week, they seemed to brush aside their comments.
“Not even… that’s not funny,” Bartholomew said, to which Bretta added, “I don’t get it at all. It’s not funny like that. It’s crazy …’.
Bartholomew was heard adding, “That’s not funny. We’re sorry.’
Viewers also took offense at Hogan’s comments.
Taking to social media, some said they would boycott the program following her comment.
“We won’t be seeing Sunrise again when this girl with black hair reads the news again,” one comment read.
“She made a comment about Glen McGrath’s death and laughed. Doesn’t she know that Glen’s first wife Jane tragically died of breast cancer?
Another said: “I totally agree, that was awful”.
McGrath was one of the many high-profile attendees seen at the McGrath Foundation High Tea.
Despite the rain and wind, guests including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon and NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet came in shades of fuchsia, pink and pastel pink.
Danni Willis, who is married to this year’s Australia Test team captain Steve Smith, said the couple had a “relaxed” celebration after he broke multiple batting records on Thursday.
“It was pretty relaxed. Obviously (it’s) still in the middle of the Test match,” Ms Willis said.
“But Steve’s celebration when he scores 100 is chocolate, so we had to take a drive to get some Cadbury Dairy Milk and the Marvelous Creations.”
McGrath was one of the many high-profile attendees seen at the McGrath Foundation High Tea. Danni Willis, who is married to Steve Smith, captain of this year’s Australia Test team, posed in pink on the red carpet
Friday’s event was Ms Willis’ 10th anniversary, which was celebrating Jane McGrath Day, when punters wear pink to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.
The day also honors the legacy of Jane McGrath, Glenn McGrath’s first wife who died of breast cancer in 2008.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 at the age of 31 and has been a strong advocate for breast health awareness and support for patients undergoing treatment. Her advocacy led her to co-found the McGrath Foundation with her husband in 2005.
“I try to help out as much as I can with the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day, but the high tea is amazing year after year,” said Ms Willis.
“Obviously we haven’t been able to compete with Covid for the last few years so it’s great to see it’s back bigger and better than ever.”
Cricket WAG Erin Holland, right, wore a pink suit with ripped material
The McGrath Foundation reports that if the organization achieves its goal of selling 300,000 Virtual Pink Seats, it will be able to provide 4,200 families with the free support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in 2023.
Celebrating the event’s 15th anniversary, McGrath said he was amazed at the support it received.
“This is the 15th Jane McGrath Day and it’s incredible to think back to where it all began when cricket first went pink,” he said.
“Each Pink Test is special and each year we are overwhelmed by the support of the Australian public. Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in Australian women and it is our mission to ensure that no one with breast cancer misses out on the care of a breast nurse.
“This year has been so great to see Australia standing behind us to make it a Pink Test to remember by ensuring families have the free care and support they need.”