Russell Woolf dies: Journalists, presenters pay tribute to ‘larger than life’ former ABC host

Journalists and presenters from across the country have paid tribute to “bigger than life” ABC stalwart Russell Woolf, whose shock death overnight has rocked the media industry.

The death of the popular radio host was announced on-air on Tuesday by colleague Geoff Hutchison, saying it came “as a huge shock to us”.

Hutchison told ABC listeners that Woolf died in his sleep, aged 57.

Woolf’s name was trending on Twitter by mid-morning, with media personalities from WA and across Australia paying tribute to a man who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

The West Australian's legal affairs editor Tim Clarke said “Rusty” was a friend to “pretty much anyone who ever met him”.

“An amazing man, an amazing character, an amazing broadcaster, and just larger than life in more ways than one,” he said of Woolf.

Clarke described the news of Woolf's passing overnight as “absolutely devastating and shocking”.

“Every time you met Rusty you always thought ‘I’ve got to go and see him again soon’ because he was that type of character. He uplifted you, he was funny, he was generous on air and off and you won’t find a bad word said about the man,” he said.

“He was just such a nice fellow.”

Speaking on The West Live this morning, a close friend of Woolf's, former ABC broadcaster Glenn Mitchell, said it was “such an incredible shock”.

“You just couldn’t meet a more gregarious, caring person,” he said.

“He was a big cuddly. If I bumped into him every now and then in recent years in Rokeby Road you’d just get this great big bear hug from him.

“He was just the most gregarious loving person. We’ve lost someone who’s a very special person. He was one of those people that there was no difference behind the microphone to the man you met in the street.”

Former co-host Nadia Mitsopolous took to Twitter, saying her “heart was broken”.

“I love you Russ,” she said.

“Privileged to have shared a studio with you.”

WA Governor Kim Beazley said he and his wife Susie were “deeply saddened” by the news.

“Our thoughts are very much with his immediate family right now and his extended ABC family. WA has lost not only a great media personality, but also a great bloke,” he wrote on Twitter

Premiership West Coast Eagles player Will Schofield, who worked with Woolf on air at ABC, said he “didn’t have a lot of words right now”.

Schofield shared a hilarious video of the two of them in the studio with Woolf dancing to Britney Spears.

“This is Russell Woolf — happy, funny, a mate,” he said.

ABC presenter Karina Carvalho paid tribute to her former colleague, saying he would be missed.

“Russell had a larger than life personality, a big heart and a wicked sense of humour,” she said.

Business News managing editor and former The West Australian reporter Sean Cowan called news of his passing “horrible”.

“I hope you get to watch your Royals win a flag up there soon, Russ,” he said.

ABC Sydney journalist and presenter Lara Hyams, who began her career in Perth, said she was “absolutely devastated” by the news.

“He was an incredible friend and I’ll miss him dearly,” she said.

7NEWS reporter and presenter Syan Dougherty called Woolf “an absolute character”.

“Hilarious, authentic and so generous with time and advice,” she said.

“Such a loss.”

6PR presenter Gareth Parker and Nine News reporter Gary Adshead also paid tribute to Woolf.

Adshead said he was “stunned” to hear of his passing, while Parker said he was “totally in shock” at the news.

“No one didn’t love Rusty — fabulous company and a heart of gold,” Parker said.

“He never took the business or himself too seriously.”

10 news presenter Narelda Jacobs called Woolf “a beautiful soul who gave so much to his State, industry and colleagues”.

The West Coast Eagles, of whom Woolf was a passionate supporter, also shared their condolences.