Glenn McGrath responds to Sunrise host Miley Hogan for joking that he’s dead

Before McGrath was on the live breakfast program, news anchor Miley Hogan was heard saying “Glenn McGrath is dead” off-screen. Her remark caused shock from her co-hosts, Mark Beretta and Edwina Bartholomew.

When questioned during Jane McGrath’s annual afternoon tea at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday morning, the co-founder and president of the McGrath Foundation confirmed that he had been in contact with Hogan.

“We talked, everything is fine,” he said.

Hogan was not seen on Sunrise panel table since she made the remarks about McGrath. On Thursday, she reappeared on the show as a reporter.

Prior to McGrath’s segment, Hogan introduced the bizarre TikTok trend of young users filming themselves telling their parents that their favorite celebrity had died.

After the McGrath joke, Bartholomew and Beretta appeared to brush off her comments.

“Don’t even… it’s not funny,” said Bartholomew, to which Brett added: “I don’t understand this at all. It’s not so funny. This is madness …”.

Bartholomew can be heard adding: “This is not funny. Sorry.”

But viewers were offended by Hogan’s comments. On social media, some said they were boycotting the program after commenting on it.

“We won’t be watching Sunrise anymore if that black haired girl is reading the news again,” one comment read.

“She commented on the death of Glen McGrath and laughed. Doesn’t she know that Glenn’s first wife Jane tragically died of breast cancer.

Another comment read: “I totally agree, it was awful.”

NCA NewsWire has contacted Channel 7 for comment.

McGrath was one of many dignitaries seen at the McGrath Foundation afternoon tea. Despite rain and wind, guests including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon and New South Wales Premier Dominique Perrotte arrived in shades of fuchsia, rose and pastel pink.

Danny Willis, who is married to this year’s Australian Test team captain Steve Smith, said the couple had a “relaxed” celebration after breaking several records on Thursday.

“It was pretty calm. Apparently (it’s) still in the middle of a test match,” Ms Willis said.

“But Steve’s celebration when he scores 100 is all about chocolate, so we had to drive around to buy Cadbury Dairy Milk and wonderful creations.”

Friday’s event was Ms. Willis’ 10th Jane McGrath Day event, with players wearing pink to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

The day also commemorates the legacy of Jane McGrath (Glenn McGrath’s first wife), who died in 2008 of breast cancer. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31 in 1997 and has been a staunch advocate for breast health awareness and support for patients undergoing treatment. Her advocacy led to her founding the McGrath Foundation with her husband in 2005.

“I try to help as much as I can with the Pink Dough and Jane McGrath Day, but the afternoon snack year after year is incredible,” said Ms Willis.

“Obviously over the last couple of years due to Covid we weren’t able to attend so it’s great to see it is back bigger and better than ever.”

Also in attendance was Eloise Carey, who is married to star goaltender Alex Carey.

Speaking to Triple M radio after Carey became the second Australian goalkeeper to score 100 points in the Boxing Day Test, Ms Carey joked that “he could do more with the kids.”

However, Ms. Carey jokingly reported that he still hadn’t mastered his game despite the much-hyped hit.

“No, I didn’t,” she said, laughing.

“He always gets along well with the kids, but unfortunately this is a bad week for me. I just have to take responsibility and fulfill all parental responsibilities.”

“But he has a few more weeks after that, and then he will have to take up his game. He’ll be back on diaper duty, getting up early.”

Like Ms. Willis and Smith, the couple and their two children have yet to fully celebrate Carey’s achievements in cricket, opting for a quiet post-test night on Boxing Day instead.

“We got home, put the kids to bed at seven, ordered Uber Eats and went to bed at 8:30,” she said.

“After that, he never watched the game, but I made him watch a highlight reel so he could see the kids on TV and he just beamed.

“He was so happy and really celebrating the moment.”

The McGrath Foundation says that if they reach their goal of selling 300,000 virtual pink seats, the organization will be able to provide 4,200 families with free McGrath breast care nurse support in 2023.

McGrath celebrated the 15th anniversary of the event and said he was amazed at the support it received.

“It’s Jane McGrath Day 15 and it’s incredible to remember how it all started when cricket first turned pink,” he said.

“Every Pink Test is different and every year we are amazed by the support of the Australian public. Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women and our mission is to ensure that no breast cancer patient misses the opportunity to see a breast nurse.

“This year it was so great to see that Australia supported us in making pink dough unforgettable by giving families the free care and support they need.”