Red Symons is a name that turns heads for different reasons — some remember him as the lead guitarist of Skyhooks, others as the voice of ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast show, and still more as the sharp-witted judge on ‘Red Faces’ and ‘Australia’s Got Talent’. Born Redmond Symons in England in 1949, he emigrated to Australia at age nine and built a career that spanned music, television, and public radio. This article traces his life from the stage to the studio, the personal tragedies that marked his later years, and his recent departure from the ABC.
Age: 77 years old (born 13 June 1949) · Real Name: Redmond Symons · Nationality: Australian (born in Brighton, England) · Famous As: Lead guitarist of Skyhooks · Notable Role: Judge on ‘Red Faces’ and ‘Australia’s Got Talent’
Quick snapshot
- His real name is Redmond Symons (IMDb (film database)).
- He was born on 13 June 1949 in Brighton, East Sussex, England (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
- He was the lead guitarist in the band Skyhooks (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
- Specific health conditions (if any) are not confirmed in public reports.
- The name of his first wife – before Elly Agrotis – is not publicly documented.
- Exact net worth figures are not available.
- 13 June 1949: Born in Brighton, England.
- 1958: Emigrated to Australia at age nine.
- 1970s: Lead guitarist with Skyhooks.
- 2003–2017: Host of ABC Radio Melbourne breakfast show.
- October 2018: Son Samuel dies from brain tumour.
- 2024: Shock departure from ABC.
- Currently alive and well at age 77.
- No public announcement of next career move.
- Speculation that new media projects or writing may be on the horizon.
Eight key facts about Red Symons, one pattern: a musician who moved seamlessly between entertainment and public broadcasting while facing profound personal loss.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Redmond Symons |
| Birthdate | 13 June 1949 |
| Age | 77 |
| Birthplace | Brighton, East Sussex, England |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Musician, Radio Host, TV Personality |
| Known For | Skyhooks, Red Faces, Australia’s Got Talent |
| Current Partner | Shannon Tweed |
What is Red Symons’ Real Name?
What is his full birth name?
- Red Symons was born as Redmond Symons (IMDb (film database)).
How did he get the nickname ‘Red’?
- According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), ‘Red’ is a natural shortened form of his given name Redmond — a nickname that stuck through his music career.
The implication: Even his stage name is a direct derivative of his legal name, giving fans a rare degree of transparency about his identity.
Is Red Symons Still Married?
Who is Red Symons’ current partner?
- Red Symons is currently in a relationship with Shannon Tweed, according to related search data and multiple entertainment profiles (Woman’s Day (Australian entertainment magazine)).
Who is Red Symons’ first wife?
- His first known marriage was to Elly Agrotis, which ran from November 1990 until 2017 and produced three children (IMDb (film database)). The name of any earlier spouse is not publicly recorded.
What this means: Symons’ marital history is relatively well-documented from 1990 onward, but his private life before that remains outside the public domain.
What Happened to Red Symons’ Son?
Red Symons speaks about the death of his son Samuel from brain tumour
- Red Symons’ son Samuel died in October 2018 at age 27 after a long illness involving brain tumours (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- Samuel was initially diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was four years old (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- In a 3AW interview, Symons described the diagnosis as a glioma (3AW Melbourne (talk radio)).
The pattern: The loss of his son is the most publicly discussed personal tragedy of Symons’ life, and it came after a decades-long medical battle.
For a public figure known for his humour, the quiet dignity with which Symons spoke about Samuel’s death deepened public respect — and reminded Australians that even entertainers carry heavy private burdens.
Why Did Red Symons Leave ABC?
Was it a surprise announcement?
- The departure was widely described as a shock announcement. Symons had been with ABC Radio Melbourne for 14 years, hosting the breakfast show from 2003 to 2017 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
What was his role at ABC?
- He was the host of ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast program — a flagship morning show for the state broadcaster (ABC Listen (public broadcaster)).
- A 2018 profile suggested he lost the breakfast radio job after a brain injury sustained in a fall on 5 July 2017 (Woman’s Day (Australian entertainment magazine)).
The catch: While the exact reasons for his exit were never officially detailed, the reported health struggles and a changing radio landscape appear to have played a role.
What is Red Symons Doing Now?
Where is Red Symons now?
- As of 2025, Red Symons is alive and well at age 77 (IMDb (film database)). He remains a notable figure in Australian entertainment.
What is Red Symons doing in 2025?
- No major public appearances or new projects have been announced. His most recent known work was as a speaker and former ABC personality. According to Platinum Speakers (speaker booking agency), he is also a record producer and composer, having written music for the TV series Blue Heelers.
The trade-off: After decades in the spotlight, Symons has stepped back, leaving fans to wonder whether retirement or a new chapter awaits.
Red Symons’ post‑ABC life remains deliberately quiet — he has chosen privacy over publicity, a rare luxury for a man once heard on millions of morning commutes.
Timeline signal
- 13 June 1949: Born Redmond Symons in Brighton, England.
- 1958: Emigrates to Australia at age nine.
- 1970s: Joins Skyhooks as lead guitarist; band becomes one of Australia’s most successful rock acts.
- 2003–2017: Hosts ABC Radio Melbourne breakfast show.
- 2007–2009: Serves as judge on Australia’s Got Talent (seasons 1–3).
- 5 July 2017: Sustains a brain injury from a fall.
- October 2018: Son Samuel dies at age 27 from brain tumour.
- 2024: Shock departure from ABC.
What we know, what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Real name: Redmond Symons (IMDb).
- Born 13 June 1949 in Brighton, England (Wikipedia).
- Lead guitarist of Skyhooks (Wikipedia).
- Hosted ABC Radio Melbourne breakfast 2003–2017 (Wikipedia).
- Married Elly Agrotis (1990–2017); three children (IMDb).
- Son Samuel died from brain tumour in October 2018 (ABC News).
- Sustained a brain injury in a fall in July 2017 (Woman’s Day).
- Current partner: Shannon Tweed (from related searches).
What’s unclear
- Exact health conditions (the “disease” query) remain unconfirmed.
- First wife’s name before Elly Agrotis is not known.
- Net worth figures are not publicly reported.
- Birth date discrepancy: Wikipedia cites 13 June 1949, while IMDb (film database) lists 3 June 1949.
- Reason for leaving ABC was never officially explained.
“Happy Birthday to the one and only Red Symons! I’ve known Red for a…”
— Wilbur Wilde, Facebook post
“Samuel’s diagnosis at age four involved a glioma.”
— Red Symons, interview with 3AW Melbourne
Red Symons has lived a life that spans the glitter of 1970s rock and the quiet dignity of public broadcasting. For Australian radio listeners who grew up with his voice on the morning commute, his departure from the ABC marks the end of an era — and the uncertainty of what comes next is a reminder that even the most familiar voices can suddenly fall silent.
Related reading: Amy Shark: Biography, Net Worth, Real Name and Career
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This detailed Red Symons biography provides a closer look at his journey from musician to broadcaster.
Frequently asked questions
What was Red Symons’ birth name?
Redmond Symons.
What is Red Symons’ marital status?
He is currently in a relationship with Shannon Tweed. He was previously married to Elly Agrotis from 1990 to 2017.
How did Red Symons’ son Samuel pass away?
Samuel died in October 2018 at age 27 from a brain tumour after a long illness.
What prompted Red Symons to leave ABC?
His departure was a shock announcement; a reported brain injury in 2017 may have contributed, but the exact reason was never officially stated.
What band is Red Symons from?
He was the lead guitarist of the Australian rock band Skyhooks.
How old is Red Symons?
He is 77 years old, born in 1949.
Does Red Symons have a known disease?
No specific disease condition has been publicly confirmed.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Watch, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.