Longtime 2GB Sydney night time host Brian Wilshire has died aged 81. For 36 years he rated No 1 in Sydney. 

“He was a major figure of night-time radio on 2GB for 36 years. He dominated 2GB’s ratings, holding sometimes 30+% of the audience – even when the rest of us on 2GB were tanking,” colleague and friend Jason Morrison said.

“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.”

Wilshire retired a decade ago after hosting Weeknights on the station since 1979.

For 36 years, he was the number one rated in the slot, according to Radioinfo.

“It appeared to be the best way to fund my motor racing habit,” Wilshire once said .

“The highlight of that hobby was a class win in the 1993 Bathurst 12-hour race for production cars, in a Nissan Pulsar SSS.

“Radio has been an equally wild ride, and I’d like to thank my loyal listeners and everyone at 2GB.”

Sky News reports that Wilshire played drums for the band Stringybark, and also loved travel, family, pets, skiing, writing, and car racing.