‘I just broke down in tears’: Ben Fordham recalls the heartbreaking moment he overheard his children discussing their grandfather’s death
Ben Fordham, 43, has recalled the heartbreaking moment he overheard his three young children discussing the death of his father John.
John, a popular talent agent, died in November last year aged 75 after a long battle with cancer.
Speaking to 9Honey Celebrity on Monday, Ben explained that he and his wife Jodie Speers were recently listening to their children’s baby monitor at night, when they heard a strange conversation take place.
‘All of a sudden I heard this comment come through the baby monitor and it was something about my dad and I sat up straight away and so did Jodie,’
‘I just broke down in tears’: Ben Fordham, 43, has recalled the heartbreaking moment he overheard his children discussing their grandfather John’s recent death. Pictured: Ben with his children Freddy, five, and Pearl, three
Shocked, Ben and Jodie listened closely to the sound of their daughter Pearl, three, asking her brother Freddy, five, why and how her grandfather had died.
‘The conversation went on to talk about spirits and how spirits work and how they feel about it and Freddie was trying to comfort Pearl about her feelings,’ the 2GB radio host revealed.
‘I just ended up breaking down in tears myself and so did Jodie,’ Ben added, describing the situation as both ‘bizarre’ and ‘beautiful’.
Tragic loss: John Fordham, a prominent talent agent and father to Ben (pictured together) lost his long battle with throat cancer last November
John was known as a powerhouse celebrity manager who worked with some of Australia’s most prominent personalities.
The beloved agent spent his final days swapping racing tips with Alan Jones and speaking with sporting greats and entertainment personalities.
Speaking with The Australian last year, Ben said his father had lived on his own terms until the very end.
Overheard: Ben said he and his wife Jodie Speers were listening to their baby montior their two eldest children talking about their beloved ‘papa’ Johni. Pictured: John with his grandson Freddy)
‘It’s a weird feeling but we’re not sad, we’re genuinely happy,’ he said.
‘We’re a family who’s never felt afraid of telling each other we love each other, so none of us have that feeling of ‘if only”.
‘He chose his own exit, he choreographed the whole thing. I think he decided he wasn’t going to spend eight or nine months in a bed.’
He said the lasting legacy his father will have on him was what he taught him about ‘life, loyalty and having a go’.
Overheard: Ben revealed that he heard Freddy comforting his younger sister Pearl. Pictured are Ben and Jodie’s children, left to right: Pearl, three, Marigold, five months, Freddy, five
Beloved: John (right) was known as a powerhouse celebrity manager who worked with some of Australia’s most prominent personalities. Pictured with son Ben