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Remembering Adriana

The television industry has paid tribute to the memory of Adriana Xenides, recalling her generosity, professionalism and elegance.

The television industry has paid tribute to the memory of beloved game show hostess Adriana Xenides.

Many recall her generosity, professionalism and elegance.

Xenides died shortly before 5pm yesterday as a result of a ruptured intestine at Liverpool Hospital, aged 54.

The glamorous television hostess had a long run on Australian television first appearing on Wheel Of Fortune in 1981, aged 22. She never missed an episode until 1996 due to illness. But she notched up 18 years with the show, landing a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

During that time she worked alongside John Burgess for 12 years, Ernie Sigley for 3, plus Rob Elliott, Tony Barber and longtime announcer John Deeks for the better part of two decades.

Born in born in Buenos Aires in 1956 and emigrating to Australia in her teens, she spent most of her working life in Adelaide, where Wheel of Fortune was filmed. In 1976 she was voted best newcomer by The Mannequin and Models Guild of Australia. By 1978 she was miming and dancing routines as part of a female trio with Pam Holland and Penny August.

But it was on Wheel of Fortune that she shone. Wearing elegant attire from designers George Gross and Harry Who, smiling all the time as she turned the letters on the game show board, her work with Burgess became an afternoon routine for thousands of viewers across Australia. It was also ratings gold for Seven.

Xenides later appeared on Beauty and the Beast and on Celebrity Big Brother. She also fronted countless advertisements, charity promotions and Adelaide TV appearances. She even landed a mention on Kath and Kim as “Adriana Extremities.” That’s when you really know you’re part of the landscape.

In later years there were personal struggles, including brushes with the law for dangerous driving resulted in disqualification of her licence, with the court deciding against imposing a fine because of her financial situation.

Former colleagues, industry executives and publicists all paid tribute to her memory:

John Burgess, who visited her in hospital yesterday, said:
“Adriana had a heart of gold and she couldn’t do enough for people. She always put other people ahead of herself. We’ve lost a good person.

“We never had a blue, which is unusual for couples in this business. We got on like a house on fire. She had a heart of gold. She was always thinking of other people. She was devoted to her mum, and when her mum died that left a big hole in her life.”

Seven’s Director of Programming and Production, Tim Worner said:
“Adriana was a wonderful performer. It was no accident she held the world record for the longest running co-host of Wheel Of Fortune. She brought something very special to the show. Her charm and her warmth were always shining brightly and she was her bubbly self with one and all – the same with contestants, audience members or crew. The lady was a class act and her many friends at Seven will miss her.”

Ernie Sigley said:
“She was a lovely girl. I had a bit of a cry today, when I saw it on the News today. It knocked me about a bit. I think she’d probably be recognised as one of the best hostesses ever on a TV show. She loved it.”

Rob Elliott said:
“She could walk into a room and everyone would stop and look. She was just so glamorous and so elegant.”

Announcer John Deeks, who worked with Xenides for 20 years, said: “She had a big, open heart and was extraordinarily generous. She should have married someone wonderful and had children.”

Friend and publicist Michael Shephard, now with TV1, said:
”People knew her as a model and a game show hostess, but she was well educated, came from a great family and spoke five languages. She had such an amazing insight into life and the world, and a great passion for animals.”

Herald Sun TV writer and former network publicist Colin Vickery said:
“Adriana was always impeccably dressed and incredibly polite to everyone she met. There were no star turns with her – just sheer professionalism. Seven’s decision to sack Burgess as Wheel host in 1996 after 12 years, and replace him with Barber, had a devastating effect on Adriana. I saw her visibly upset by the fierce public backlash against the changes to the program, which also included a new set, faster format and rule changes……Quiz shows often lack class but that is what Adriana Xenides brought to Australian television in spades.”

Adam Hills said on Twitter:
“So sad to hear about Adriana Xenides. I worked with her and she was lovely. I’d like an R an I and a P please. Go with love and peace Adri.”

A tribute to Xenides will air today on Sunrise.

Vale: Adriana Xenides

Source: Herald Sun, news.com.au, smh.com.au

19 Responses

  1. Stan – the show started in 1981 – Adriana appeared in every episode for 15 years. As David implied, she didn’t leave until 1999 (18 years later).

  2. From memory, I think she was married for several years in the 90s, but the marriage broke down and she never had children. I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading an article about her marriage in TV Week many years ago. She really was a household name and although she hasn’t been on TV for almost a decade, a large proportion of the population would still remember her with fondness. Everyone who knew her speaks highly of her and it’s clear that she will be missed.

  3. RIP, Adriana, we really loved you.

    David, just a minor detail re your dates above. If Adriana joined WoF in 1981 that she would have been 25 at the time not 22, because she was born in 1956. Also, if she left WoF in 1996 she would have been part of the show for 15 years not 18. Ergo, she must have joined the show in 1978 not 1981 to match your other statistics. Was show already on TV in 1978?

  4. I find it quite sad that she was essentially discarded by the industry and left to just find her own way after Wheel, I really think she deserved better.

    Quite sad.

    RIP

  5. I’m so shocked and saddened to hear the passing of Adriana. I enjoyed watching her on Wheel Of Fortune, and she always carried herself with grace, class and professionalism. RIP beautiful Adriana – you will be sadly missed.

  6. When I went on Wheel of Fortune in the early 80’s when Ernie was host she was such a lovely lady to the contestants, even helped me iron my shirt. She was nice both on and off the screen. Others in the industry could have learnt some things from this lady. RIP.

  7. She had a huge amount of problems after she left Wheel of Fortune, it seemed as if the industry had burnt her out a bit.

    But she did make the most out of her limited role on Wheel and certainly captured the hearts of the viewing public over the many years she was on it.

    Hopefully she’s now in peace.

  8. Bless her. I always remember watching Wheel of Fortune growing up – and I can remember when she disappeared and came back.

    She was beautiful. May she Rest in Peace.

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