Brian Wilshire, controversial 2GB Sydney presenter, has died at the age of 81 after an illness. He was widely known on the channel after building up his radio career in November 1969, before becoming a presenter on 2GB and hosting the Australia Overnight program from midnight until 3:30am for multiple years. He spent over three decades on the channel and dominated the ratings and popularity.
The news of his death was shared on 2GB by a fellow host, sharing his regretful last commmunication with Brian, Michael McLaren said: “I’m ashamed to say I didn’t even know he had been unwell. In fact, I don’t think too many people did.” He added: “I sent him a message about a month ago and I told him everything that was happening in my life. That I was now a father of a little girl and that I hoped everything was going well with him and his wife, Ruth, and the kids.”
He explained that he had told Brian that if he ever made his way up to Sydney they should have a catch up. The host added: “A day or two went by and there was no news from Brian so I assumed I got the wrong number or something. But at 11:30pm one night, my phone started buzzing… I let it go to voicemail. I wish I hadn’t because it was Brian.”
Brian’s co-host added that he vowed to give Brian a call in the new year, but continued: “But just after midday yesterday I’d realised I’d left my run too late and it’s going to be something I regret for the rest of my days.”
He was also referred to as a “lovely man and one of the gentlemen of the radio business”, by a former colleague, referring to him as a “major figure” on the show. Jason Morrison added: “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.”
While his career was glowing, his career wasn’t without controversy, and in 2005 he was forced to issue an apology after comments he made on air about Lebanese Australians after the Cronulla Riots. He told listeners at the time: “Many of them have parents who are first cousins whose parents were first cousins.
“The result of this is inbreeding – the result of which is uneducationable people… and very low IQ.” He later apologised for his remarks and said on air: “I understand that those comments may have caused offence to some members of the Lebanese community and I unreservedly retract those comments and I apologise for any offence that might have been caused.”
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
