BAFTA-winning investigative journalist and broadcaster Roger Cook has died at the age of 83 following a short illness, his family has confirmed. 
The New Zealand-born media figure, best known for his fearless reporting on crime, corruption, and fraud, passed away in hospital surrounded by his wife Frances and daughter Belinda.
Cook had previously survived cancer twice during his lifetime, making his passing after a short illness even more poignant for those who followed his long career in broadcasting. 
A family statement released on Monday confirmed the news, saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roger Cook, who died peacefully on Saturday after a short illness.” 
The statement added that while Cook built an award-winning career spanning decades, he was above all a devoted husband and father.
“He will be deeply missed by all of us, and we ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult loss,” the family said.
Cook became one of the most recognisable faces in British investigative journalism through his groundbreaking ITV series The Cook Report, which ran for more than a decade and exposed criminal activity across the UK and abroad.
The programme was widely watched at its peak, attracting millions of viewers and earning a reputation for hard-hitting undercover investigations that often led to real-world legal consequences and reforms. 
ITV also paid tribute, describing Cook as one of broadcasting’s most trusted and respected investigative journalists.
“In a career spanning five decades, Roger Cook’s fearless approach to journalism helped expose wrongdoing and deliver lasting change,” the broadcaster said.
Cook’s career began in Australia at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, before he moved to London in 1968, where he joined BBC radio programme The World At One. 
He later worked on major BBC programmes including PM, Nationwide, and Newsnight, before focusing on investigative journalism that would define his career.
He also founded the radio programme Checkpoint, which later evolved into The Cook Report when it moved to ITV.
At its peak, the show reportedly attracted more than 12 million viewers and became a staple of British current affairs television throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.
Cook was known for his undercover work, often putting himself in dangerous situations to expose criminal behaviour. One infamous incident in 1981 saw him attacked during a doorstep interview, resulting in three broken ribs when he was struck with a baseball bat.
Despite the risks, he continued his investigative work, earning widespread recognition for his bravery and determination to uncover the truth.
In 1997, Cook received a BAFTA award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to journalism. Seven years later, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Nottingham Trent University.
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from colleagues, fans, and members of the public, many of whom praised his impact on investigative journalism.
Messages described him as a “pioneering reporter” whose work helped expose wrongdoing that might otherwise have remained hidden.
Others remembered him as a fearless broadcaster whose programmes were essential viewing and left a lasting legacy in British television history.
Cook is survived by his wife Frances and daughter Belinda.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
