John Reginald Hamblin (18 March 1935 – 21 September 2022), known affectionately as "Funny John" or "Naughty John", was a British-born Australian children's television presenter and actor of stage and screen who appeared in theatre productions, music hall, soap operas and made-for-TV films.

Hamblin was a presenter on the Australian children's television program Play School for 27 years, from 1970 to 1997 (guest returns 1999, 2016). He featured in more than 350 episodes and became the second-longest-serving presenter in the program's history, after Benita Collings, with whom he often presented.

Early life Hamblin was born on 18 March 1935 in Ash, Surrey, England, and grew up in Suffolk. When Hamblin's mother moved in with the local baker, his father moved the rest of the family to Norfolk. He lost contact with his mother at that point. Hamblin's father had flown with the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, and Hamblin himself joined the Air Force and did his national service in Cyprus in the late 1950s before returning to England.

Hamblin initially trained at art school for six months but decided on a career in acting instead, and he studied drama to become an actor.

Career Theatre Hamblin started his acting career in England in repertory theatre in 1957 at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. He also worked in old time music hall.

He worked for several West End Theatres in the United Kingdom including Theatre Royal, Haymarket and the Old Vic

After emigrating to Australia, Hamblin continued to work in theatre over 25 years, from 1970 until 1995, including Blithe Spirit and a stage show of Play School.

Hamblin also toured in the stage play Crown Matrimonial as King Edward VIII.

Television In 1967, Hamblin made an appearance in the cult British TV series The Prisoner in the episode "A Change of Mind".

After migrating to Australia, Hamblin secured roles in television from the late 1960s until the late 1980s, including roles in soap operas, becoming notable for his role in series The Restless Years as A.R. Jordan. His TV credits also include Number 96, Class of '74, The Young Doctors (as Dr Dan Wheatley), Case for the Defence, and Sons and Daughters.

Hamblin played the role of Michael Chamberlain in the 1984 telemovie The Disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain. After a hiatus in the 1990s, he returned to TV series in guest roles in All Saints and Love My Way in the early 2000s.

Play School presenter Known as being irreverent and inserting double-entendres into skits, Hamblin was the second-most-prolific presenter of Play School, appearing in 357 episodes from 1970 to 1999, while fellow presenter Benita Collings appeared in 401 episodes. On the show, Hamblin would sing, read stories, make crafts, play with the toys and educate children about such things as telling the time and the days of the week. Hamblin is especially remembered for his presenting partnership with longtime hosts Benita Collings and Noni Hazlehurst.

Hamblin returned briefly for a special guest appearance in 2016, as part of Play Schools 50th anniversary special.

Many bloopers of Hamblin's time on Play School have since resurfaced, most of which feature him forgetting lines or making sexually explicit jokes.

Personal life Hamblin came to Australia in the 1960s as a "Ten Pound Pom" with his second wife, Wendy. After Play School, he retired and moved to Tasmania with his third wife, Jenny, whom he married in 1984. He had two children, Emma and Myles. He suffered a heart attack . In 2008, he published his memoirs, Open Wide, Come Inside, with Peter Richman.

Hamblin died at a hospital in Tasmania on 21 September 2022, aged 87.

Filmography Film YearTitleRoleType1976 The Bushranger Sergeant Dunbar TV movie1983 Who Killed Baby Azaria? Michael Chamberlain TV movie 1984 Run Chrissie Run! Cathy's father Feature film Crime of the DecadeIan Henderson TV movie A Street to Die Dr. Walker Feature film2009 There's a Heaven Above You Background Film short

Television YearTitleRoleType 1959 Quartermass and the Pit Newsvendor TV miniseries Season of Passion uncredited TV series1960 Scotland Yard Thomas Miller TV series1967 The Prisoner 1st Woodland Man TV series, season 1, episode 12: A Change of Mind1969 Riptide Wallace's Mate TV series1970–99 Play School Himself as host TV series1971 The Comedy Game TV series1972 Number 96 Dr. Mike Cavanagh TV series1974 This Love Affair Andrew TV series1974–75 Class of 75 Donald Blair TV series1977 The Young Doctors Dr. Dan Wheatley TV series1978 Case for the Defence John Case TV series1979 Skyways Bob Kennedy TV series1978–80 The Restless Years A.R. Jordan TV series 1980 Spring & Fall TV series The Timeless Land Robert Campbell TV miniseries1982 Secret Valley Mr. Melrose TV series1983 Starting Out Dr. James Holt TV series 1984 The Last Bastion Anthony Eden TV miniseries Runaway Island Lachlan McLeod TV series1985 Winners Doctor TV series1986 Tusitala Dr. Eisner TV miniseries1987 Sons and Daughters Frank Porter TV series1988 Rafferty's Rules Tom Herman TV series2000 All Saints Alex Knight TV series2001 Pizza Judge TV series2006 Love My Way Clive TV series

Theatre YearTitleRoleType 1970 The Trials of Hilary Pouncefortt Neutral Bay Music Hall 1971 Exposed to Danger, or, Little Nell in the Klondyke Neutral Bay Music Hall 1971 Land Of Dreaming UNSW Parade Theatre 1972 The Spring Heeled Terror of Stepney Green Neutral Bay Music Hall 1977 Lust for Power, or Perils at Parramatta Harry Masterman Neutral Bay Music Hall 1978 Crown Matrimonial Edward VIII Seymour Centre, Mayfair Theatre, Sydney, Newcastle Civic Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth 1982 The Anniversary Phillip Street Theatre 1982 The Circle Theatre Royal, Sydney, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne 1984 Caravan Playhouse, Sydney Opera House 1985 Crown Matrimonial Playhouse, Sydney Opera House, Twelfth Night Theatre, Cairns Civic Theatre, Townsville Civic Theatre, Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, Melbourne Athenaeum, Canberra Theatre Centre 1987 Blithe Spirit Playhouse, Sydney Opera House, Glen Street Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre, Newcastle Civic Theatre 1991 Run for Your Wife Glen Street Theatre 1993 Away Riverside Theatres, Parramatta 1995 Play School - The Big Show Regal Theatre, Perth

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