Mike Leyland passed away a couple of days ago.

Many people not Australian and those under 40 years of age have probably never heard of Mike Leyland but to those that have his passing will be sad news.

Mike and his brother Mal whilst being born in England and coming over to Australia when they were children came to be very Australian icons.

Their program "Ask The Leyland Brothers" was very popular from the late 70`s to early 80`s and was based on the idea of give the people a program that was based on what they asked for. Viewers used to write in asking to see a show about a particular town or area of Australia,and occasionally some Pacific islands, and they would be rewarded with the Leyland brothers going there and producing a show for them.

I recall imitating them with my best mate when we were kids on holidays,I`d be Mike and he`d be Mal and we`d love pretending to be them producing a program.

This is sad news for myself and for many Australians.

Rest in peace Mike,you were and are a true Aussie legend.

Yes, it does seem like the end of an era. Mike & Mal epitomised a simple time.
Rest in peace Mike. You remain in the memories of many.

awww.

just This last weekend I was on a little bus with a few others going over a rough track and we started singing the song .. 'travel all over the countryside, ask the Leylands ... "

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Mike & Mal epitomised a simple time.

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How true, Nanna T! in those days there just weren't many 4wd vehicles around and not many got to do the things they did or go to the places they did. They showed lots of us our own country.

One of my favourite shows of the time, and preceded shows like 'Getaway' by decades.

(I did not realise they were English- they sure did not sound like it!).

They were only kids when their parents migrated to Australia Ozzz.

Here is the link to the Wiki site about them both.

I'd not heard of the Leyland brothers before reading this thread, but it seems they were quite the adventuresome pair, sharing their love of documentary travel and their knowledge with their adoptive country. Legends, indeed.

Sorry for your loss, Australia, rest in peace Mike.