Former Triple M radio host Sammy Power has died aged 55.
Power’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but the The Courier Mail reported the former radio presenter died from a long-term battle with alcoholism and mental illness.
She was found dead on Monday in her home in Hendra, Queensland.
The broadcaster’s radio career spanned 28 years before she left it behind in 2012, telling her listeners at the time that she felt “burnt out” and “over it”.
Following her departure from radio, Power managed her mother’s business, the Queensland farmers markets, known as the Jan Powers Farmers Market.
In 2014, Power famously married herself in a lavish Noosa ceremony, attended by over 200 people, to mark her 50th birthday and celebrate her losing more than half her body weight that year.
“I’ve never thought this before the wedding but I thought to myself, ‘You’re pretty great’,” she said at the time.
On Monday night, Mike Goldman, the former voice of Big Brother, said of his late friend, “What a damn shame.
“One of my best buddies, that I’ve known for over 25 years has left this planet. Sammy was the funniest and by far one of the most talented people I have ever been lucky enough to know.”
Following her passing, a number of other former colleagues and friends shared tributes on Twitter, with many remembering her “infectious laughter”.
Fans of Power have also shared their sorrow at the news.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, one listener wrote on Facebook: “Her beautiful and wicked sense of humour dragged me out of some really bad days. I loved her when her and Dean did TripleM Breakky [sic] in the 1990s and even recently her videos with Mike Goldman were hilarious. I will deeply miss you.”
If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you’re based in Australia, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14 for support or beyondblue 1300 22 4636.