Former Wide World of Sports star and Channel 9 rugby league commentator Darrell Eastlake has died, aged 75.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford told Justin and Kate Eastlake died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s diesease and emphysema.

“One of the great voices of sports commentary in Australia, for so many many years associated with the Nine Network,” Pete said.

“He was a very, very heavy smoker.”

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Eastlake was famous for commentating State of Origin matches in the 1980s and calling a number of sports including Formula 1 and motorbike racing.

The veteran sports caller died at his Central Coast nursing home after retiring in 2005.

Photos: Channel 9