Astonishing moment Ron E Sparks snapped at Kyle Sandilands remembered after radio legend’s death at age 72

As tributes flow for an Australian radio legend following his death, the moment he snapped at Kyle and Jackie O over their smoking habit has been recalled.

The astonishing moment Ron E Sparks lost it at Kyle and Jackie O, scrawling “don’t f***ing smoke” over the walls and dumping used cigarette butts all over the station, has been recalled as tributes flow for the radio legend, who has died aged 72.

In a touching post his former WSFM colleagues Brendan “Jonesey” Jones and Amanda Keller revealed Mr Sparks’ death on their official Instagram page.

“We are devastated to announce the heartbreaking news of the passing of former WSFM announcer Ron E Sparks. Vale,” they wrote.

Mr Sparks began his radio career on Sydney’s 2SM in the 1970s.

Ron E Sparks, a former WSFM presenter who spent more than 40 years on the airwaves, has died aged 72. Picture: Supplied

According to the website RadioInfo, he then moved to 2UW and then to 2Day FM and Triple M, while performing his voiceover work for programs like Wheel of Fortune and Hot Streak.

Mr Sparks also had run-ins with the now-high profile breakfast radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jacqueline “Jackie O” Henderson while they were at 2Day FM.

In his 2012 memoir Scandalands, Sandilands recalls an outburst Mr Sparks had over the pair’s smoking habits – specifically with the smell and milk bottles filled with used cigarette butts being left on the desk.

At the time, he and Jackie O were presenting the Hot30 Countdown while Mr Sparks took the breakfast shift.

Sandilands revealed Mr Sparks “had to endure the disgusting smell of stale cigarette smoke we had disrespectfully left behind”.

“However, when he looked around the studio on this particular morning the butt-filled milk bottles hadn’t been thrown in the bin: they were right there on top of the panel,” Sandilands writes in his book.

“What happened next was a Sparks flip out that I want to go on the record as saying I completely and utterly understand and agree with.

“With a permanent marker he wrote ‘Don’t f***ing smoke’ all over the studio walls, the equipment, the speakers and even the computer screens.

Kyle Sandilands (left, with co-star Jackie O) in his memoir recalled Mr Sparks’ outburst over the pair’s smoking habits while they worked at 2Day FM. Picture: Supplied

“He then got the crusty milk bottles and sprayed the contents all over our offices.

“And, finally, for his piece de resistance, he dumped a mountain of ash and cigarette butts on the carpet outside our general manager’s office.”

Mr Sparks was immediately sacked afterwards, but was picked up by WSFM where he remained until his retirement in 2017.

Sandilands continued said Mr Sparks’s rant was “well within his rights”

“He had complained a million times to everyone at the station about the smoking situation,” he said.

“And, besides, I was a disrespectful 30-year-old brat who needed a good arse-kicking.

“After the incident we never saw Ron E Sparks at the station again.“

Fellow 2UE presenter Trevor Sinclair took to X (formerly Twitter) with the post: “VALE Ron E: Stunned, absolutely stunned to hear of the death of Ron E Sparks. A legend of the airwaves.

He continued: “The man who took me 2SM to 2UW in 1979 where I remained (thru the conversion to MIX) for the following 21 years. Have a heavenly Maccas for me big fella.”

VALE Ron E: Stunned, absolutely stunned to hear of the death of Ron E Sparks. A legend of the airwaves. The man who took me 2SM to 2UW in 1979 where I remained (thru the conversion to MIX) for the following 21 years. Have a heavenly Maccas for me big fella.https://t.co/dxliMWTUxX

— Trevor Sinclair AM - Presenter 2UE Breakfast (@TrevorSinclair) July 13, 2024

Broadcaster Wendy Harmer also expressed her sorrow at Mr Sparks’ passing.

“Always lovely, kind, encouraging and that VOICE! So many memories spent listening to him. A legend of radio broadcasting! Vale,” she wrote.

So sad to hear of the passing of Ron E Sparks. He was a colleague for the decade I spent at @2DayFM
Always lovely, kind, encouraging and that VOICE! So many memories spent listening to him. A legend of radio broadcasting ! Vale

— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) July 13, 2024

Originally published as Astonishing moment Ron E Sparks snapped at Kyle Sandilands remembered after radio legend’s death at age 72