Legendary children’s singer-songwriter and Playschool host Don Spencer has been rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke.
Spencer – father of Russell Crowe’s ex-wife Danielle Spencer – was raced to emergency in the middle of the night a month ago after suddenly losing the ability to move down his right side.
Doctors confirmed he’d suffered a debilitating stroke.
The incident occurred around the same time as Danielle was also diagnosed with a splenic aneurism – a bulge in the artery that supplies blood to the spleen.
Spencer, 88, revealed his health scare on Tuesday, telling fans he had been in hospital for three weeks and it had now robbed him of the ability to play musical instruments.
‘I was fully expecting to be told it was just numbness and to go home,’ he posted on Facebook.
‘Instead, I learned I had bleeding in my brain and had suffered a stroke…who, me?!
‘I was admitted immediately and it turned out to be more serious than I’d realised.’
Don shared an image of himself on Tuesday to Facebook and is recovering at home
Danielle, 56, is pictured with her father Don – an iconic Australian children’s performer
Spencer was one of Play School’s most beloved hosts, fronting the afternoon children’s show in Australia from 1968 to 1999.
He also hosted the British version from 1972 to 1988, and was one of only two people to do so in both countries.
Don shares two children, Danielle and her older brother Dean, with his partner Julie Horsfall.
‘Thank you to my wonderful close friends and my family, especially my two incredible children, Danielle and Dean, who have been with me every step of the way,’ he said.
‘I’m so lucky to have you both.’
After Don’s hospital dash, he is now home and still struggling with the after-effects of his stroke.Â
‘My right hand still isn’t functional, but I’m a leftie and currently mastering the art of opening jars and even cutting my own hair one-handed,’ he said.
‘I’ve always cut my own hair, so if I have a bad haircut, I can only blame myself.Â
‘There isn’t exactly a great demand for one-handed guitarists and piano players, so I’m determined to get back to playing with both hands – fingers crossed… on my left hand only!’
Don was a beloved, longtime host of children’s afternoon TV show Play School
Danielle was married to Russell Crowe – they separated in 2012 and divorced in 2018
Don’s career began in the UK, where he also hosted British Play School
Don was born in Tamworth in 1937, and moved to Africa in his teens to pursue a hockey career.Â
While in Nairobi, he met British singer-songwriter Roger Whittaker, who encouraged him to buy a guitar.
After moving to London, he began supporting musical acts such as The Rolling Stones and the Four Seasons, and also worked as a presenter for the BBC.
On his return to Australia, he appeared on Bandstand and began his tenure on Play School, while also writing children’s songs.
In 2007 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to children’s music.
Meanwhile, daughter Danielle, 56 – who shares sons Charles and Tennyson with Russell from their 15-year marriage after they wed in 2003 – is recovering from her own health issue.
Symptoms of her splenic aneurism include pain in the stomach area and internal bleeding if it ruptures.
Around the same time her father suffered his stroke, on November 6, she revealed: ‘(I) dropped off the planet for a minute.Â
‘I just wanted to thank you all so much for the lovely messages after my recent surgery. They were much appreciated… Happy to report that all is well!’
On Monday, Danielle – who followed in her father’s footsteps as a singer – teased that she would soon be releasing new music.
