Marcus Turner

After Marcus Turner died in February 2016, his friend Clive Copeman paid tribute to Turner's "wry, dry confident" work as a presenter, and his wide-ranging musical skills. He also wrote of the contrast between the "supremely confident stage and screen Marcus and the flesh and blood Marcus ... a humble, quietly spoken, loving man who faced the many frustrations of television (and life) with enormous patience, a sharp but gentle wit, and the warmth that just played from his soul". 

Turner began as a folk musician in Otago in 1973, before joining the presenting team on Spot On. He was a director on Play School before going on to work with Natural History New Zealand in a variety of roles, including directing, research and composing music. 

In 1980 Turner joined the team of three presenters on long-running education meets entertainment show Spot On. He became known for his comedy sketches, often as the butt of the joke. One sketch involved him playing an unfortunate weather forecaster who has water tipped over him. Turner — and his work on the show — are introduced 25 minutes into Spot On's final episode, including the weather forecast sketch, and one where the presenting team play multiple characters in the same scene.

This period also saw the release of the first of two solo albums, The Best is Yet to Come, (1983). It included an earlier single originally recorded for EMI, 'The Civil Service Song'.xxxxxxx how many solo albums

After leaving Spot On in 1984, Turner trained as a director with TVNZ. He continued to explore music in his television work, as musical director of folk music special A Drop of the Pure Stuff and directing for beloved music show Radio with Pictures. Then he moved to England, where he spent 20 months working full-time as a musician, before returning to Otago.

Turner began directing another much loved children’s show, Play School. He also worked in a variety of roles for Dunedin-based company NHNZ. He directed for Viewfinder and kids nature series Wildtrack (including items for this episode), and produced various docos including Meet the Real Penguins and episodes of Wild South. He also composed soundtracks (Hotel Iguana), and did research (award-winner Emperors of Antarctica) and narration (TV series Raising Babies, one-off special Nature's Greatest Moments - Winter Stories).

Away from television, Turner continued to devote time to music. A second album, Laid Down, was released in 2005. He was also a member of band The Chaps, who recorded two albums and toured Europe. In 2007 he helped form folk band Footspa.

Marcus Turner passed away on 2 February 2016. He was due to turn 60 that month.

Profile written by Simon Smith; updated on 14 December 2022 

Sources include
'Marcus Turner'. KiwiFolk website. Accessed 14 December 2002
Clive Copeman, 'Marcus Turner Has Left The Building' Dunedin Photographer Clive Copeman website. Loaded 5 February 2006. Accessed 12 December 2002
Marcus William Turner' (Death Notice) - The NZ Herald, 5 February 2016
Spot On - Final Episode (Television Episode) Director Graeme Simpson (TVNZ, 1988)