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Fellow radio stars and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have led tributes to radio titan John Laws, the man known as "the Golden Tonsils". Laws died at 90 following a 71-year radio career that saw him described by a former Australian leader as "the broadcaster of the century". Albanese said Laws was an "iconic voice and so much more". "Generations of Australians trusted and respected him for telling it straight, digging deep and giving his guests and his listeners a chance to be heard," he said on X. "John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer - and wonderful company off-air. "My condolences to his loved ones and to all who benefited from his wisdom and guidance." Kyle Sandilands described him as "one of the true originals". "You could never mistake him for anyone else," the Kyle and Jackie O host said on X. "He said what he thought, didn't care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required. "I'm devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate. Radio won't be the same without him." Ray Hadley said Laws revolutionised the talk radio industry. "In the latter years when he was at 2SM and tell me I was a copier... my reply was that if you were in the presence of someone who had perfected their craft, you'd be mad not to use some of that yourself," he told the Daily Telegraph. NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the death with "great sadness", calling Laws "a towering figure in Australian radio whose voice resonated across the nation for more than seven decades". Former journalist and radio host Mike Carlton said there was "no better broadcaster in all the long history of radio". "The king is dead," he said, on X. "I'm told John died peacefully at home. And I'm sad to hear it. "We were friends…we had a fierce feud…we made up and were friends again." DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
