Former top radio talkback host dies, aged 79

Former talkback radio host Geoff Sinclair died, aged 79, in his Auckland home on Friday.

Sinclair trained as a school teacher but had an early introduction to broadcasting as a "quizkid" on 1ZB in Auckland, Fairfax Media reported.

He worked for Radio Pacific, the national ZB network and Radio 1, the latter alongside Tim Bickerstaff who died in 2009.

Boss Gordon Dryden described them as the best ever pairing on radio.

For a time Sinclair was sports editor of the Sunday News and wrote a regular column, "Watchman's Island", about Auckland life.

His autobiography "You Might Be Ugly - But You're Nice!" was a best seller.

Sinclair, who died after a long illness leaves behind a widow, five children and two grandchildren.

His funeral will be held on Friday.

- NZPA