Radio legend Peter ‘Boz’ Bosley has died aged 85, with colleagues and listeners paying tribute to the pioneering sports host who helped launch the broadcasting careers of some of rugby league’s biggest names. Bosley became a familiar voice to generations of Sydney listeners through his long-running 2UE program Sports Today, where he worked alongside John Gibbs, Greg Alexander and Phil Gould.John Stanley broke the news of his death during a call to Mark Levy’s 2GB program at 9.46am on Tuesday.Radio executive Tom Malone remembered Bosley as ‘the ultimate radio professional and a true gentleman’ in a tribute read on air by Levy.‘He pioneered the sports talk format with his long-running, top-rating and must-listen show Sports Today,’ Malone said.‘Sportsmen of all backgrounds were proud to be called by Boz for an appearance on his show. Many of them went on to co-host with Boz, most notably Greg Alexander and Johnny Gibbs.’ Bosley helped mentor several sports radio greats including Andrew Voss and John Gibbs Tributes are flowing in for Bosley who died at the age of 85, announced on TuesdayBosley’s influence extended beyond the established sporting names who joined him behind the microphone.Malone recalled being a schoolboy on work experience when Bosley gave him an opportunity that stayed with him throughout his own media career.‘Boz also championed young starters in the industry. I remember when I was still at school and doing work experience with Boz and the Sports Today team, and he asked me to help research an upcoming interview for a rising star of rugby league, a young Darren Lockyer,’ he said.‘My chest swelled with pride when Boz used the material in his interview, and then he thanked me afterwards.‘There’s not many people in this industry who are universally loved, but Peter Bosley was exactly that. Loved and respected by all who knew him and all who worked with him.’Bosley’s career spanned music, entertainment and sport, taking him from regional radio to Sydney drive time before he became synonymous with evening sports discussion.On Sports Today, he provided an experienced hand alongside former players learning the broadcasting ropes.Gibbs and Alexander alternated nights with Bosley before becoming an established presenting partnership themselves, while Gould also joined him as a co-host. Bosley, second from left, was universally loved in radio circles and was hailed for his generosity of his time in helping others trying to make it in broadcasting Bosley, pictured left, was an avid North Sydney Bears supporter, but will not get a chance to see their resurrection in PerthListeners contacting 2GB recalled both his broadcasting career and their personal encounters with him.Regular listener James remembered picking up Bosley and fellow broadcaster Damien Kelly in his taxi after an outside broadcast at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 1998.‘Picked them up at Homebush Bay and took them back to the studios at St Leonards. A wonderful gentleman, and yes, Sports Today was a must to listen to each night,’ James wrote.‘Another part of my childhood gone. Rest in peace, Boz.’Another listener reflected on Bosley’s devotion to the North Sydney Bears and the club’s connection to the Perth Bears, which are due to enter the NRL in 2027.‘So sad that Boz won’t get to see the return of his beloved Bears next year,’ the listener wrote.Bosley also left a lasting mark on Australian broadcasting by giving racing and television identity Graham McNeice his famous nickname, ‘The Shadow’.McNeice was a young race caller working under Des Hoysted when Bosley quipped on air that his silhouette ‘cast a giant shadow over Canterbury racetrack’.The nickname stayed with McNeice throughout his decades in radio and television.Even after retiring from daily broadcasting, Bosley maintained his ties with 2UE, phoning in to share memories during the station’s 90th anniversary celebrations in 2015.