Earlier today, we learned of the passing of Darren Scott — a beloved voice on our airwaves, a passionate broadcaster, and a longtime member of the HOT 102.7 FM family. Darren lost his long battle with stage 4 malignant melanoma after fighting the disease with grit, humour, and determination for years.
The pain of this loss is raw, and the void left behind is impossible to measure.
Darren was many things: a gifted communicator, a music lover, a sports encyclopaedia, a deeply spiritual soul, and a loyal friend. But above all, he was radio. Over four decades, he made his mark at some of the country’s most recognisable stations — from Radio Bop and 5FM to Jacaranda, East Coast Radio, and eventually HOT 102.7FM, where his voice became a cornerstone of the brand.
No matter where he went, Darren brought a sense of fun, professionalism, and total commitment to the craft. “Darren was the most dedicated radio person I’ve ever known,” said HOT 102.7FM Breakfast presenter Simon Parkinson. “At one stage, he was doing two live shows a day — breakfast in one province and drive in another. Who does six hours of live radio every day? Darren Scott.”
His ability to connect was uncanny — that rare gift of making listeners feel like he was talking just to them. “Watching him do what he does best was incredible,” said presenter Shane “Duke” Wellington. “He had that gift. That gift that makes you feel like he’s speaking directly to you.”
From the earliest days of HOT 102.7 FM, Darren’s energy was foundational. “When we started the original HOT brand, Darren was the first person I called. And he said, ‘I’m in. Let’s go,’” HOT 102.7FM Founder Lloyd Madurai recalled. “And I saw the happiness in Darren again.”
The laughter he brought into the studio was matched only by his wisdom behind the scenes. “There was never a moment together without a funny chirp or a laugh,” said friend and colleague Ian F “It was always about feel-good moments.”
Will Scott — longtime friend and colleague — shared a particularly personal tribute. “Darren was my best friend for 15 years before we ever worked together professionally,” he said. “He played a huge role in me pursuing a radio career. When his son Mark was born, Darren walked around with a smile for two years. And even when things got tough, he kept fighting for his family. He was the most talented broadcaster I’ve ever worked with.”
Just last year, Darren marked 40 years in radio and was inducted into the Radio Awards Hall of Fame — a fitting honour for a man who gave everything to the medium he loved. Through it all, he remained a devoted father to his sons Mark and Matthew, who now mourn him alongside his father and an entire country of fans and colleagues.
As Bunny Majaja put it so simply, “Radio will never forget you.”
And neither will we.
