Legendary Australian TV presenter, sports journalist and radio star Ron Casey has died at the age of 89, according to multiple reports.
Nine News reports the controversial talkback radio presenter passed away at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital – but his cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Casey enjoyed decades in the limelight thanks to his stints hosting talkback programs on radio stations 2GB, 2SM and 2KY. He was also well known for working on the Wide World of Sports program with co-presenter Frank Hyde.
He later starred as the sports newsreader at Channel TEN-10 and was also a sports journalist at Sydney’s The Daily Mirror for many years.
Casey was awarded the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day 1988 for services to Television and Sport.
He was married twice, first in 1954 and again in 1966. He had two daughters from his first marriage and a son and a daughter from his second.
Remembering his incredible career on social media following the sad news, many fans recalled his shocking fight with singer and actor Normie Rowe on the Midday Show. He famously exploded at Rowe and sarcastically called him a “bloody hero” before punching him in the face, after Rowe pushed Casey into his chair. It was all sparked by a heated republican debate at the time.
Kerri-Anne Kennerley remembered the star on Studio 10 following the news and said: “His stock-in-trade was being the aggressive, tough-talking guy, but underneath it all, he was an absolute gentleman.”
Fans shared moving tributes on Twitter. One wrote: “Goodbye Ron Casey, you were always good value as a commentator and presenter #RonCasey.”
While one added: “I remember Ron Casey getting into some biff with Normie Rowe on the Midday Show. It was a big deal then. Imagine if it had happened now, in the social media age! The internet would have collapsed on itself.”
Speaking last year on Studio 10 alongside his loving wife Renate, a smiling Casey appeared on camera and insisted his main attribute is “saying the things people want to say, but being a nice person stops them”. He joked: “I’m not a nice person and I say anything.”
Renate revealed while Casey is well known for speaking his mind during work, he’s different at home. However, she insisted he’s still “no pussycat” and put it down to the “Irish in him”, adding: “Basically he’s the most generous and kindest man I know. he’s got a wonderful sense of humour.”