Australian television icon Denise Drysdale has reflected on her decades-long entertainment career, revealing she still gets excited every time a new job offer comes through.
The double Gold Logie winner, now 77, said her love of performing began as a young child after her parents enrolled her in dance classes in Melbourne.
“Next year marks 75 years since I took my first dance lesson. I was three-and-a-half years old,” Drysdale said in an interview with Woman’s Day.
“When I accept a job, I hang up the phone and happily yell, ‘Yessss!’ I just love working. Sitting at home for too long bores me to tears.”
Known for her quick wit and humour, Drysdale said she first discovered her comedic side as a child.
“It was raining, I was trying to get in. Other kids may have shuddered in fear and shame, but I just laughed. I’ve always seen the funny side of things because I’m a ratbag at heart,” she said, recalling being expelled from school after breaking down a lunchroom door at age six.
Drysdale began performing on television as a child, appearing on The Happy Show and later dancing on The Tarax Show.
Her big break came in the late 1960s when she became Melbourne’s first go-go dancer, leading to appearances on music television and performances entertaining Australian troops in Vietnam.
She later formed one of Australian television’s most recognisable partnerships with the late Ernie Sigley.
“It was Ernie who nicknamed me Ding Dong, and thank God he did because whatever he named me would have stuck!” she said.
“Ernie and I had a great dynamic, and we did it all, from hosting TV and radio shows to working the clubs.”
The pair won Gold Logies together in 1975, receiving the awards from Hollywood star John Wayne.
Drysdale also reflected on setbacks throughout her career, including losing television roles despite her popularity.
“In 1989, I was asked to take over from Jacki MacDonald as co-host on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. I was elated. Barely a year later I was let go.”
Despite the ups and downs, Drysdale said she feels fortunate to still be working well into her late 70s.
“Just when you think it’s all over, the phone rings and I’m offered a regular gig on Frankie J Holden’s night show. Then I get my own Denise show on Seven,” she said.
“It’s been a wild ride, and I certainly feel very lucky. So many people have the talent and never get that break.”
Following her appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, she has continued working in television and fashion campaigns.
“The Orientique boutique people came a-calling, so I’m now modelling their beautiful clothes and spruiking their outfits in fun ads on social media, and I love it,” she said.
“I never imagined I’d still be working in my late 70s… at this rate I’ll be carted off stage in a pine box!”
Image: Instagram
