Kevin McQuay explained

Kevin McQuay
Birth Date:1950 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Victoria, Australia
Death Place:Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Occupation:Television personality, entrepreneur
Yearsactive:1992–2005
Known For:Big Kev's Ltd
Television:Good Morning Australia

Kevin McQuay (13 July 1950 – 5 December 2005), professionally known as Big Kev, was an Australian cleaning products entrepreneur.

Television career

His career on television took off in the 1990s as a regular guest on the infomercial component of Good Morning Australia. The former Carey Grammar student built up a good rapport with its host Bert Newton.

McQuay was a flamboyant person who loved to drink and party with his brother "Little Steve", although this led him to getting multiple drink-driving charges; this included one reading of 0.121, more than twice the legal limit.[1] [2] [3] At one point, in 2001, McQuay weighed 146kg (322lb).[3] His catchphrases were "I'm excited!"[4] and "Big Kev knows." He continued to appear on Good Morning Australia into the early to mid-2000s.

McQuay was well known in the V8 Supercar community as the sponsor of Paul Morris Motorsport during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Big Kev's Ltd

From 2001 to 2002, McQuay hit his peak as an advertiser, appearing on commercials promoting Big Kev's range of cleaning products for the kitchen and laundry. He appeared on television commercials wearing a big blue shirt with an Australian flag design, aiming to promote the fact that Big Kev's products were 100% Australian-owned and not run by overseas companies. At one point, he hosted a half-hour low-budget variety show on late-night television. In August 2001, McQuay floated his company, Big Kev's Ltd, on the Australian Stock Exchange.[4] The company initially did well, but it eventually ran into major financial problems. In November 2004, McQuay resigned from the position of chairman of Big Kev's Ltd, deciding to cut his losses.[4] [5]

Other work

In 2002, McQuay performed guest vocals for Australian extreme metal band Sadistik Exekution on the Fukk album. McQuay's vocals are heard in the song "Organised Sadistik Abuse".[6]

Death

McQuay died at aged 55 on 5 December 2005 in the Allamanda Private Hospital on the Gold Coast.[4] The cause was confirmed as a heart attack resulting from a staph infection.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AmIAnnoying.com. 2022-01-25. amiannoying.com.
  2. Web site: 2005-03-20. Liberal polly cops $800 fine rather than blow into the bag. 2022-01-25. Crikey. en-US.
  3. Web site: 2002-06-08. Why Kev's not so big. 2022-01-25. The Age. en.
  4. Web site: Big Kev dies of heart attack . 6 December 2005 . . 25 April 2010.
  5. Web site: Big Kev scrubs himself out as new chief plans a major makeover . Chessell, James . 18 November 2004 . . 25 April 2010.
  6. Web site: Sadistik Exekution - Fukk . Discogs . 12 April 2024.