Ron Casey the Australian journalist and former Channel Nine sports television presenter has been remembered as an “absolute one off”.

The former broadcaster and talkback radio presenter passed away at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital aged 89.

Casey was well-known for his work with the Wide World of Sports program along with his co-presenter Frank Hyde.

Legendary Australian journalist and former CHannel Nine sports television presenter Ron Casey has died at 89. (9NEWS)

He also hosted talkback programs on radio stations 2GB, 2SM and 2KY.

Fellow sports journalist Ken Sutcliffe recalls meeting Casey when he first moved to Sydney.

“I didn’t know what had hit me, he was so politically incorrect.”

Describing his former colleague as a good-hearted man, Sutcliffe says Casey had an aggressive media personality but was a softie at heart.

“He was just one of those naughty guys that wanted people to bite so he could get a good story.”

“He was a one off, an absolute one off - we’ll never see his like again and I’ll miss him,” said Sutcliffe of his former friend.

In 1988, Casey was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Australian television and sport. (9NEWS)

In 1988, Casey was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Australian television and sport.

He has also become known for one sensational on-air altercation in 1991 with singer and actor Normie Rowe on Channel Nine's Midday program where the pair became involved in a brawl.

After being pushed into his chair by Rowe during a heated republican debate, Rowe reacted by standing and punching him in the face.

The incident was so widely publicised, it was mentioned in the Federal Parliament.

Normie Rowe blames himself for the punch-up, telling 9NEWS, “The great shame is that people reflect on that moment between him and me, his career was much more than that.

“It was a stupid little moment in time.”

The pair did go on to become good friends.

“I always thought he was remarkably and courageously hilarious. He did things that were funny. Knocking the glass over in front of Jana Wendt. People loved him,” said Rowe.

Casey's media career spanned 70 years.

A Channel Nine spokesperson said: “Ron Casey became the unmistakable voice and face of Nine Sport in the 1960s and for the decades which followed.

“With his own Saturday sports show and then the famous second-half only, black & white television broadcast of Sunday rugby league matches, Ron was a household name.

“He was a real character - the quintessential Aussie who found his way into television. Always opinionated, amusing , often pugnacious, but never boring.

“Ron became presenter of WWOS and then sports anchor on the Nine News desk where he forged a long and successful partnership with the iconic Brian Henderson.