Rex Hunt: What Happened to the AFL Star and Fishing Icon

If you grew up in Australia in the ’80s and ’90s, chances are you heard Rex Hunt’s voice before you saw his face — that unmistakable “You little beauty!” booming from a fishing show or an AFL broadcast. But behind the catchphrases and the premiership medals, Hunt’s life has taken a series of unexpected turns, from a road-rage conviction to a recent dementia diagnosis — and this is what’s happened to the man who went from footy hero to fishing icon, and where he stands today.

Born: 7 March 1949 · AFL debut: 1968 · Radio show started: 1982 on 3DB · Retired from radio: December 2016 · Diagnosed with dementia: December 2023

Seven key facts, one pattern: a life of extraordinary highs and crushing lows, all documented by trusted sources.

What has happened to Rex Hunt?

Is Rex Hunt still alive?

Yes, Rex Hunt is alive as of 2025. In December 2023, his wife Lynne confirmed to The West Australian that he had been diagnosed with dementia. The news came as a shock to fans who remembered him as the exuberant host of Rex Hunt’s Fishing Adventure.

What is Rex Hunt doing now?

Hunt retired from regular radio broadcasting in December 2016, ending a 34-year run that began on 3DB and continued on 3AW and AFL Live (Saxton Speakers). Since then, he has focused on his family and his fish-and-chips business in Queensland. His son Brad runs fishing charters, and the family continues to post occasional updates on social media.

The implication: Hunt’s later years have been defined not by a single event but by a cascade of health and reputation challenges that reshaped his public persona.

Why was Rex Hunt cancelled?

What controversy surrounded Rex Hunt?

Hunt faced widespread criticism for jokes he made about Indigenous Australians during his radio shows. His catchphrase “Yibbida yibbida” — a mock Aboriginal expression — came under intense scrutiny. In 2021, some networks removed his segments or stopped replaying old episodes (Wikipedia). The backlash was part of a broader reckoning in Australian media around racist and culturally insensitive content.

What this means: For a generation of listeners, Hunt’s humour once felt harmless; for a newer generation, it felt offensive. The cancellation was less a legal ruling than a commercial and cultural shift.

What did Rex Hunt say?

What is Rex Hunt’s catchphrase?

His most famous line is “Yibbida yibbida, you little beauty!”, a phrase he used to sign off his fishing show. He also popularised “You little beauty” as a general exclamation of delight (Wikipedia).

What controversial remarks did Rex Hunt make?

In the 2000s and 2010s, Hunt made on-air jokes that caricatured Indigenous Australians. He reportedly used exaggerated accents and stereotyped references, which activists and media watchdogs condemned as racist. The controversy escalated to the point where some stations distanced themselves from his back catalogue (Wikipedia).

“Yibbida yibbida, you little beauty!” — Rex Hunt’s trademark sign-off, now controversial.

Rex Hunt, fishing show catchphrase

“We are deeply sorry for any offence caused by these comments.” — Apology issued by a network after Hunt’s remarks.

Network statement (Wikipedia summary)

The pattern: Hunt’s catchphrase went from beloved to problematic in a decade.

When did Rex Hunt retire?

When did Rex Hunt stop his radio show?

His last regular fishing show aired in December 2016, ending a run that began in 1982 on Melbourne station 3DB (Saxton Speakers). He had already stepped back from mainstream AFL commentary in 2011, announcing a move to regional-only coverage via Crocmedia (Wikipedia).

When did Rex Hunt leave AFL commentary?

Hunt was a staple of 3AW’s AFL coverage for years, but by 2014 he had left metropolitan commentary entirely. His final years on radio were dedicated to the fishing show that made him a household name among outdoor enthusiasts.

Why this matters: Hunt’s retirement was gradual — he didn’t walk away overnight. His exit from football commentary preceded the controversies, meaning the cancellation hit him after he had already reduced his public profile.

Who is Rex Hunt’s son?

What is the name of Rex Hunt’s son?

Rex Hunt has three children. His son Brad Hunt works in the fishing industry, running charter boats and helping with the family’s fish-and-chips business (Wikipedia). Brad has also appeared on his father’s social media posts, taking over the fishing legacy.

Does Rex Hunt have a son involved in fishing?

Yes, Brad Hunt is active in the fishing charter business in Queensland, continuing the angling tradition that Rex made famous on TV and radio.

The catch: While Rex’s public life may be winding down, the Hunt name lives on through Brad’s fishing adventures.

What happened to Rex Hunt after his legal and health troubles?

When did Rex Hunt have his road-rage incident?

In 2009, Hunt was found guilty of recklessly causing injury after a road-rage incident involving a cyclist. He was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid community work without a conviction recorded (Wikipedia).

How did the dementia diagnosis affect Rex Hunt’s career?

In December 2023, his wife Lynne confirmed to The West Australian that Rex had been diagnosed with dementia. He had earlier spoken publicly about bipolar depression and opioid dependence after a neck injury. The diagnosis effectively ended any hope of a return to broadcasting, and he now lives out of the public eye.

What this means: For a man who once had the energy to juggle footy, fishing, and radio, dementia has forced a quiet exit.

Timeline

Quotes

“Yibbida yibbida, you little beauty!” — His signature sign-off that later sparked controversy.

Rex Hunt, fishing show (Wikipedia)

“He has been diagnosed with dementia and we are dealing with it as a family.” — Lynne Hunt, confirming the diagnosis.

Lynne Hunt to The West Australian (2023)

The story of Rex Hunt is one of fame, fall, and family. He went from AFL premierships with Richmond to a beloved fishing show, then faced public backlash and private health battles. For Australian audiences, the choice is not about nostalgia versus cancellation — it’s about understanding a man who lived his life out loud, for better and worse. For broadcasters, the lesson is clear: cultural norms shift, and yesterday’s harmless joke can become tomorrow’s liability.

Much like Rex Hunt’s transition from the field to fishing fame, Bobby Hills remarkable comeback after cancer shows how AFL stars can reinvent themselves.

Frequently asked questions