Controversial 2GB Sydney presenter Brian Wilshire has died at the age of 81.
Born on March 30, 1944, in Strathfield, Sydney, Wilshire began his radio career in November 1969 at regional station 2NZ in Inverell before moving to Sydney, where he became a fixture at 2GB.
He hosted the station’s Australia Overnight program from midnight to 3:30am for many years.
During his time at 2GB, Wilshire dominated the ratings, winning almost every survey over a 36-year period.
His career was not without controversy.
In 2005, he was forced to issue a public apology following comments made on air about Lebanese Australians following the Cronulla Riots.
‘Many of them have parents who are first cousins whose parents were first cousins,’ he told listeners to his 9pm-midnight show.
‘The result of this is inbreeding – the result of which is uneducationable people … and very low IQ.’
Following widespread condemnation, including from then-premier Morris Iemma, Wilshire later apologised for his remarks.
Controversial 2GB Sydney presenter Brian Wilshire has died at the age of 81
Colleague and friend Jason Morrison led tributes for Wilshire on social media.
‘A lovely man and one of the gentlemen of the radio business.
‘He was a major figure of night-time radio on 2GB for 36 years. He dominated 2GB’s ratings holding sometimes 30 per cent plus of audience – even when the rest of us on 2GB were tanking.
‘Brian probably never got the recognition he deserved – but no-one has held the air on the station for as many years as he did.’
