Richard Wilkins has paid tribute to Tina Turner following her death in Switzerland at the age of 83. 

The Nine Entertainment Editor, 68, appeared on the Today show on Thursday when he called the legendary singer a 'force of nature' who had an 'extraordinary life'.

'When she walked on that stage, she absolutely owned it,' Wilkins said.

'She just had that presence, she was just a force of nature and the amazing voice, the pitch, the phrasing, the pizazz - she just delivered in spades.'

'What an extraordinary life, she found fame early on... she had the comeback of the ages, finding fame in her forties... I saw her on stage, she played a lot in Australia.'

Richard added his regards to Tina's longtime Australian manager Roger Davies. 

'He is the loveliest man, who will be doing it very tough today and Roger, I know you're here, we send you all our love.'

Richard also shared a picture of himself back in the day posing with the late music icon. 

'It was a hair off!' Karl Stefanovic joked about the picture. 

Tina lent her voice to the 1989 NRL season promo back in the day. 

The likes of Keith Urban, Celeste Barber and radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson all said they were shocked by the news of Tina's death, which broke on Wednesday.

Keith, 55, who hit the stage to honour Tina back in 2021 when she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the U.S., thanked Tina for her contribution to the music industry. 

'I just heard about Tina Turner's passing and it hit my heart,' Keith wrote in a tribute shared to Instagram. 

'I'm immediately hearing that voice, seeing that energy and I'm feeling that strength, sensuality, determination and passion. That life force,' he said.

He added: 'I'm grateful that we have the music and the performances - the source for so much of what you hear and see in countless other artists to this day. A matchless imprint. Thank you for everything you have Tina.' 

Comedian Celeste Barber shared a picture of Tina and wrote: 'Simply the best,' alongside a broken heart emoji. 

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O discussed the shock news on their KIIS FM radio show on Thursday, with shock jock Kyle saying it was a 'shame'.  

'What a shame, she had been through the wringer that woman,' Kyle said. 

'She really knew how to rock and roll that old bird! Off she goes to wherever we go when we die,' he added.

Also sharing a tribute to Tina was Jodi Gordon. 

The former Home and Away star shared a picture of Tina and wrote: 'Love you Tina. RIP.' 

The legendary singer died at her home in Küsnach near Zurich, Switzerland, following a long, unspecified illness.

Her representatives announced the news, saying: 'With her the world loses a music legend and role model.' 

On April 9, in what are believed to be her final public remarks, she told The Guardian how she hoped the world would remember her - and how she did not fear death.

'How would you like to be remembered?' the Guardian asked.

'As the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. As a woman who showed other women that it is OK to strive for success on their own terms.'

Asked what frightens her about getting older, she replied: 'Nothing. This is life's full adventure and I embrace and accept every day with what it brings.'

Sharp as ever, Turner joked about whether she'd like more sex, money or fame - 'at my age, is there another option?' and told how she was enjoying 'anonymity in retirement'.

Turner is survived by two of her four sons - two preceded her in death - and her 67-year-old husband, Erwin Bach.

The pair married in 2013 after dating for nearly 30 years.

Throughout her career, Turner won eight Grammy's from 25 nominations and three lifetime Grammy Awards. Her final stadium concert was in Sheffield, England, in 2009.

She was known for hits including Proud Mary, What's Love Got to Do With It, and The Best.