Australian media identity Ron Casey — the man involved in one of Australian TV's most controversial moments — has died in a Sydney hospital at the age of 89.

Close friend John Brennan revealed the news to Sydney radio station 2GB this morning.

Casey died at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital.

He was a former talkback radio host in Sydney known for his divisive views on immigration and was once dubbed the "controversy king" for his abrasive style and heated arguments on air.

But perhaps he was most well known for his involvement in an on-air brawl on Channel Nine's the Midday Show in 1991.

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The brawl, labelled one of TV's most controversial moments, saw Casey punch Australian singer and Vietnam veteran Normie Rowe live on air after the singer pushed him back into his chair.

The veteran broadcaster's career began at Sydney radio station 2KY in 1948.

He then graduated to television and was a well-respected sports journalist on commercial networks Nine and Ten.

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