Radio legend Gary O’Callaghan passes away aged 83

SYDNEY broadcasting legend Gary O’Callaghan has sadly passed away at the age of 83.

Gary O'Callaghan has sadly passed away at the age of 83

Radio legend Gary O’Callaghan has sadly passed away at the age of 83.

#BREAKING: Radio legend Gary O'Callaghan has sadly passed away at the age of 83

— 2GB 873 (@2GB873) August 19, 2017

O’Callaghan was known for his exclusive radio coverage of The Petrov affair and, later, his long running 2UE breakfast show.

O’Callaghan was born in Melbourne but moved to Sydney as a young boy.

In 1951, at the age of 17, he fulfilled an ambition to go into radio when he started as an office boy at 2SM.

He was also a successful voice actor in many radio plays of the time.

Radio personality Gary O'Callaghan has passed away.

A few weeks after joining 2SM, O’Callaghan did his first on air stint and began one of the most distinguished careers in the history of Australian broadcasting.

O’Callaghan had over 160 Survey wins spanning 45 years. He earned the silver Raward three times in the seventies, was awarded an MBE, was named Father of the Year and won the Queens Jubilee Medal.

Gary O'Callaghan had one of the most distinguished careers in the history of Australian broadcasting

O’Callaghan was credited with assisting many radio broadcasters throughout his long career, giving tips patiently and cheerfully.

2GB’s Ray Hadley paid an emotional tribute to O’Callaghan.

“If you didn’t listen to Gary O’Callaghan you didn’t listen to anyone through the sixties, seventies and eighties,” Hadley said on 2GB today.

“For all his success, for all the accolades that will follow… I’ve never met a more delightful, charming, sweet, lovable and loyal man than Gary O’Callaghan”.