Much-loved 3AW personality Ernie Sigley has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

His family confirmed the news on Monday.

The former 3AW Afternoons host was a noticeable absentee from the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, with Sigley a life-member of the Western Bulldogs.

‘While he would love to have been at the MCG to watch his beloved Western Bulldogs make history, Ernie had to settle for the live television broadcast,’ his family said in a statement.

Sigley hosted 3AW Afternoons for more than a decade before his retirement in 2008.

He also won a Gold Logie and was a chart-topping singer.

The 3AW family wishes Ernie all the very best.

‘He is one of the great characters of Australian show business,’ 3AW entertainment reporter Peter Ford told Tom Elliott.

‘He and Denise (Drysdale) reinvented morning TV.’

Click PLAY below to hear Peter Ford explain more on 3AW

At the height of the success of his 3AW Afternoon program, Ernie’s team produced a CD of highlights from the popular segment FRIDAY LUNCH with Ernie, Denis Walter and Darren James.  

Several thousand copies were sold to raise funds for charity.

Now, in celebration of a great career, 3AW has decided to reproduce the audio of the cd on-line.

CLICK PLAY to hear the ‘Friday Lunch 2002’ album starring Ernie Sigley, Denis Walter and Darren James