TV host Erin Jayne Plummer was beloved by millions of viewers in Australia and beyond for her charm, bubbly nature and ‘megawatt smile’, drawing in loyal audiences to the advertorial shows and popular workout series she hosted.
Away from the camera, the 42-year-old was described as a ‘gold medal mum’ to her three daughters, who loved ones said she doted on and were described as ‘mini-me’s’ of their mother.
But Covid brought tough times, with friends saying she struggled during the pandemic. In May 2022, following a lengthy battle with her mental health, Erin took her own life.
She left behind her heartbroken husband Alan and their three young daughters, while her passing also impacted countless loved ones, friends and viewers.
Just two years on from Erin’s death, the Plummer family has been struck by a second tragedy. Alan was found dead on Sunday beneath a cliff on Freshwater Beach near the family’s home in Sydney on Sunday, and is believed to have taken his own life.
The couple’s three daughters – aged 18, 15, and 11 – are now orphaned.
Erin Jayne Plummer was a much-loved host of Studio 10 and was famous for her roles on aerobics and advertorial TV shows
Alan Plummer’s death leaves the couple’s three daughters orphaned
She was a presenter for Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The instructional aerobics TV series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40million
The eldest had only just completed her final exams at high school and was out celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday the night before her father’s body was found, a source told Daily Mail Australia.
Freshwater Beach, near the family’s home, had been Erin’s favourite coastal spot, and friends and loved ones gathered there to hold a sunrise vigil in her memory shortly after her death two years ago.
Prior to his death aged 49, Alan had battled with mental health and medical issues, a source told the Mail. His wife Erin was 42 when she died.
Friends said at the time that she had stopped being her ‘bouncy, energetic self’ in the weeks before her death. ‘I wish we had found her a way through,’ a friend said.
Colleagues at Studio 10, where Erin became a household name as the advertorial presenter, said she they would miss her ‘sunshine’ in the studio and that the channel ‘lost a bit of its sparkle’ with her untimely passing.
Erin broke into the TV industry at a young age when she was plucked from hundreds of beachgoers at Sydney’s popular Manly to star in an NBC television commercial as the ‘Face of Australia’.
The Australian Tourism Commission campaign also led to her being cast on Baywatch Australia.
She moved into TV presenting, appearing on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and earned the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl’ in reference to the home appliance company she often promoted.
She was also a presenter for Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The instructional aerobics TV series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40million people at its peak and was broadcast in more than 80 countries.
If she hadn’t gone into TV, Erin could have further pursued her sporting career – she represented Australia and surf lifesaving and synchronised swimming.
Alan and Erin Jayne Plummer are pictured on their wedding day
Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the Plummer family, and raised more than $28,000
She entered three world synchro championships and won 11 national titles, and was credited by one friend with encouraging her to pursue her Olympic swimming dreams.
Erin’s Studio 10 colleagues Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop announced the tragic news on live TV.
‘Erin was just a gorgeous human inside and out,’ her co-presenter Sarah Harris said as she paid tribute to her colleague.
‘We’ll miss your sunshine around the studio Erin Jayne, and all of us here are sending lots of love and strength to her family. You’ll be very missed,’ said Sarah Harris.
Erin’s father Peter described her daughters as her ‘little mini versions of her’, and speaking at her funeral, the presenter’s eldest child shared her heartache at losing her beloved mother.
‘Each day that passes I still don’t believe that she’s gone,’ the 15-year-old said.
‘That a family of three girls will grow up without our mum. This is the thought I can’t seem to get over.’
Erin appearing on Studio 10. She was a talented sportswoman as well TV host
The Studio 10 and TVSN infomercial host took her own life after a mental health battle, friends said
‘Mum was loved by everyone. She was selfless and gave her everything to take my sisters and I to 40 activities each week.
‘She brought so much light to the world that we didn’t realise her heart was in so much pain.’
The teenager concluded the touching tribute: ‘Mum, I hope heaven treats you better than we ever could. She’s not ours anymore but we are hers forever.’
Erin’s youngest daughter also spoke, telling those gathered, ‘My mum was the best person ever. I will always love you dearly mum.’
During her career hosting advertorials, Erin appeared on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and earned the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl’
Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Alan ‘keep the household running’. It raised almost $28,000, and received a donation of $10,000 from a single donor.
Neighbours also rallied around the family, cooking their meals and bringing them food in the wake of Erin’s death.
But it was her role as a TV presenter for which she was best known. Over the years, she promoted everything from massage chairs and workout programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.
When she wasn’t in front of the camera, Erin also did countless voice-overs for TV.
Alan was the previously the director of a company called Shine VIP Tours Australia PTY LTD, which is now defunct.
Erin was thrust into the spotlight at a young age when she was scouted at Sydney’s Manly Beach and cast in a tourism campaign that aired on NBC in America
He had only just sold the family’s four-bedroom Freshwater home in September as he planned to move with his youngest daughter to Queensland to be closer to his middle child, who is studying at a school up north on a sports scholarship, a source told the Mail.
The property, which was purchased by the Plummers for $675,000 in 2002, was initially listed for sale in March this year, but sold for an undisclosed amount two months ago before it went to auction.
The tragedy has left the community in mourning, with locals devastated for the three young girls. ‘They are good kids,’ the source said.
‘Their parents have dozens of friends and the community will come together for them.’
UK: For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org
AU: For confidential support 24/7 call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond 1300 22 4636
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
