The one-time biggest name in Australian talkback radio, John Laws, has died aged 90.

A member of the Australian Media Hall of Fame, Laws attracted 2 million listeners to his morning radio program at the height of his popularity during a career that spanned more than seven decades.

Former colleagues and friends paid tribute on Sunday evening to the man known as “the Golden Tonsils”, who died one year after hanging up his microphone.

“Today marks a very difficult day for our family, with the news that our beloved father/grandfather/uncle John Laws has died peacefully at home,” his family said.

“While fame and prominence had become a mainstay of his life, for us, he was always the person who meant so much, away from the microphone, the cameras, and the headlines.

“It is comforting to know that John’s was a life lived well – he had remained in good health and even better spirits right up until the last few weeks.”

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Laws spent two weeks in hospital in October. He died at his home in the inner-Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Laws had been “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,” Albanese said.

“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.”

Born in New Guinea on 8 August 1935, Laws moved to Australia with his family as a schoolboy, launching his radio career in Bendigo in 1953.

He spent four separate stints at Sydney station 2UE after first joining the broadcaster in 1957, worked for 2GB, 2UW and 2SM and had short periods with Network Ten and Foxtel.

“John Laws was one of the true originals,” Kyle Sandilands said on X on Sunday.

“You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required.

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“I’m devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate. Radio won’t be the same without him.”

Laws pioneered a unique blend of entertainment, information and opinion, delivered with what became one of the most recognised voices in the country.

His shows were widely broadcast around Australia, and he was particularly popular in rural New South Wales.

Laws was said to be the best-paid radio broadcaster in the world at one stage of his career, with 2UE management presenting him with a golden microphone.

Laws did not achieve his fame and success without controversy. In 1999 he was at the centre of the cash-for-comment scandal alongside his fellow 2UE broadcaster Alan Jones. The pair were accused of accepting payments from companies in exchange for favourable on-air commentary. Both denied any wrongdoing.

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said Laws was a “towering figure in Australian radio whose voice resonated across the nation for more than seven decades”.

“Few broadcasters have left such a deep and lasting mark on Australian media,” Minns said on Sunday.

“On behalf of the NSW government, I extend my deepest condolences to John’s family, friends, colleagues and all who listened, learned and were challenged by him.”