Marilyn Mayo, a much-loved Australian TV star with a career spanning decades, died on Tuesday morning.

The actress, who turned 80 last year, was known to a generation of Aussie children as presenter of Nine’s The Super Flying Fun Show, which ran between 1970-1979.

She also appeared in the landmark Seven drama series A Country Practice and had a major role in Channel 10’s 1980s soap Holiday Island.

The sad news was shared to social media on Tuesday on behalf of Mayo’s family by Craig Bennett, a friend of the late icon.

‘Another special friend and a bonafide Aussie showbiz fave has left us,’ Bennett, a long-time showbiz reporter said on his Facebook.

He continued: ‘At 7am Marilyn Mayo passed away.