Chart-topping musicians, AFL premiership royalty and television favourites are among the star-studded list for this year’s 26-hour Telethon broadcast supporting WA’s most vulnerable children.
Leading the marathon fundraising effort’s TV coverage is 7NEWS Perth sports director and chief football reporter Ryan Daniels, who said the annual event was one of the most important in the State.
“Telethon is the heartbeat of Western Australia,” Daniels said.
“We are so lucky to be part of this great, uniting thing.
“From kids selling lemonade or donating pocket money, to the million dollar corporate partners — an entire community embraces it.”
The West Australian sports columnist has covered AFL grand finals, Olympic and Commonwealth games, and World Cups but his role as Telethon host since 2024 is one of his standouts.
“Telethon doesn’t just happen — it’s decades of energy and commitment, it’s generational kindness. That’s why it’s so unique,” he said.
“I’m expecting to laugh, to cry, to raise a lot of money for our most vulnerable children and families — and hopefully, another Telethon record!”
Jessica Mauboy
Returning as one of the event’s most popular performers, R&B-pop powerhouse Jessica Mauboy is headlining the 2026 Telethon musical line-up.
Since bursting on to the national stage on Australian Idol in 2006, the two-time ARIA winner and 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee has released five studio albums, including ARIA No.1 record Hilda and Yours Forever.
The former coach on Seven’s The Voice Australia also represented Australia at Eurovision 2018 and starred in Bran Nue Dae, The Sapphires, The Secret Daughter and Windcatcher.
Morgan Evans
Newcastle-born, Nashville-based country singer-songwriter Morgan Evans is making his Perth Telethon debut on the RAC Arena stage.
The five-time Golden Guitar winner and ARIA Best Country Album recipient topped the US Billboard Country Airplay chart with his 2017 hit Kiss Somebody.
Following his viral 2022 ballad Over For You and a sold-out Sydney Opera House residency, Evans released his third studio album, Steel Town, in March 2026.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Entertainment triple-threat Natalie Bassingthwaighte will perform with reunited electro-rock band Rogue Traders during the group’s 21st Anniversary The Anthems tour run.
After her breakout role as an actor, she joined Rogue Traders in 2004, selling more than a million records globally with multi-platinum album Here Come the Drums and hit single Voodoo Child.
In 2026, the ARIA No.1 solo artist released her autobiography, starred in Waitress and returned with Rogue Traders for new single Take You Down.
Kate Miller-Heidke
Fresh from her third season in the spinning red chair as a coach on The Voice Australia, Kate Miller-Heidke is making her Telethon debut.
Classically trained at the Queensland Conservatorium, the five-time Helpmann Award winner is the only artist in history to perform at Coachella, the New York Metropolitan Opera and Eurovision, where she sang Zero Gravity atop a swaying 5m pole in 2019.
The singer behind multi-platinum hits The Last Day On Earth and Caught In The Crowd released her sixth studio album, The Kiss And The Abyss, in August 2026.
Shane Crawford
Returning Telethon favourite Shane Crawford will join fellow AFL premiership greats in the phone room, live stage challenges and the Telethon Family Festival.
The 1999 Brownlow medallist and Hall of Fame inductee played 305 games for Hawthorn, bowing out with the 2008 premiership before forging a two-decade television career.
Crawford has also raised millions for Breast Cancer Network Australia by walking 780km from Adelaide to Melbourne and cycling 3600km from Melbourne to Perth.
Ben Cousins
Hometown hero and 7NEWS Perth sports presenter Ben Cousins returns to Telethon after drawing a massive crowd in 2025 with a high-energy stage dance routine alongside Siobhan Power.
The 2005 Brownlow medallist and 2006 West Coast Eagles premiership midfielder played 270 AFL games before staging a major media comeback on 7NEWS, Dancing With The Stars and Mix94.5 breakfast radio.
Kane Cornes
Seven AFL headline analyst Kane Cornes arrives after completing a gruelling challenge with a double marathon in a matter of days, raising more than $648,000 for Telethon.
Cornes ran the Perth Running Festival on Sunday before backing up for a second marathon on Rottnest Island on Thursday.
Port Adelaide’s 300-game record-holder and 2004 premiership winner now co-hosts Seven’s Agenda Setters and hosts SEN morning radio.
Campbell Brown
Former Hawthorn premiership defender Campbell Brown returns as a Telethon regular alongside teammates Shane Crawford and Luke Hodge.
Known for throwing himself into physical Telethon segments, Brown famously toppled out of his wheelchair during a fierce clash in the All-Abilities footy match.
The 205-game Hawthorn and Gold Coast veteran and 2007 All-Australian now presents 7AFL and 7horse racing coverage alongside SEN radio.
Phil Burton
Human Nature co-founder Phil Burton brings his signature showmanship to the RAC Arena stage following his 2023 Dancing With The Stars triumph on Seven.
Formed in Sydney in 1989, the ARIA Hall of Fame vocal quartet has sold more than 2.5 million albums worldwide and headlined an 11-year Las Vegas Strip residency with more than 2000 shows.
Reece Mastin
Rock singer-songwriter Reece Mastin returns to the Telethon stage with his full band for the first time in 12 years.
After winning Seven’s The X Factor Australia in 2011 at age 16 with five-times platinum single Good Night, the independent artist rebranded into heavier rock and metal in 2025-2026.
Slumber Party
Telethon’s favourite late-night pyjama party is also turning five with the dynamic trio behind the screens ready to pull out all the stops.
News Worthy host Ben O’Shea, Sunrise’s Matt Tinney, and self-proclaimed Perth entertainer Famous Sharron, famous for nothing at all, are ready for another massive five-hour live variety marathon.
Reflecting on the milestone anniversary, O’Shea said the annual tradition has become a staple for West Australian families.
“Staying up as late as possible watching Telethon has been a tradition for West Aussie families for generations, and so each year we throw a Slumber Party with all the fun and games you might remember from when you were a kid,” O’Shea said.
Since its inception, the Slumber Party has captured the hearts of night owls across the State, blending high-energy entertainment with vital community fundraising.
Audiences can look forward to epic musical numbers and the high-energy return of the Telethon Dance Party, showcasing talented performers from all across Perth.
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