Controversial Australian radio host and TV sports presenter Ron Casey has died aged 89.
As reported by Nine News on Tuesday, Ron passed away at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital.
The journalist and commentator hosted popular talkback radio programs on radio stations 2SM, 2GB and 2KY, and contributed to Nine’s Wide World of Sports program.
Vale: Controversial radio broadcaster and Channel Nine sports presenter Ron Casey (left) has died aged 89
Perhaps most notoriously, Ron was involved in an on-air punch up with veteran Australian entertainer Normie Rowe on Channel Nine’s Midday Show in the early 1990s.
During a debate about Australia becoming a republic, Normie got up out of his seat and approached Ron.
When Ron stood up to confront Rowe, Normie pushed Ron back down into his chair.
Ron leaped to his feet and punched Normie in the face with a right hook, leading to chaos on the set as Midday Show crew members scrambled to break up the fight.
Casey also wrote for sports columns for Sydney’s Daily Mirror newspaper and was a sports reader at Channel Ten.
He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1988 for his services to Australian TV and sport.
End of an era: As reported by Nine News on Tuesday, Ron (pictured) passed away at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital
Ron was born in Lismore in northern NSW and was a NSW state swimming champion in his youth.
He became a controversial figure in the Australian media for his quick temper, politically incorrect statements and his views on immigration.
Ron was vocal in his opposition to Asian immigration in Australia in the 1980s, saying: ‘The conspiracy exists among prominent politicians to stifle any debate on the immigration issue, and among ethnic leaders in the community to diffuse any opposition to unlimited Asian immigration.’
He continued: ‘The facts are plain to see. The majority of Australians are against it, but nothing is done to ensure their wishes are fulfilled. I spoke out and was vilified.’
Perhaps most notoriously, Ron was involved in an on-air punch up with veteran Australian entertainer Normie Rowe on Channel Nine’s Midday Show in the early 1990s.
During a debate about Australia becoming a republic, Normie got up out of his seat and approached Ron.
When Ron stood up to confront Rowe, Normie pushed Ron back down into his chair.
Ron leaped to his feet and punched Normie in the face with a right hook, leading to chaos on the set as Midday Show crew members scrambled to break up the fight.