Roger Cook, best known for hosting current affairs show The Cook Report, has died aged 83.
The ITV show ran for 16 series, from July 1987 until August 1999, with Cook investigating everything from criminals to government policy failures.
A family statement said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roger Cook, who died peacefully on Saturday after a short illness.
‘Alongside a distinguished and award winning career in journalism, Roger was first and foremost a beloved husband and father.
‘He will be deeply missed by all of us, and we ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult loss.’
The Cook Report was cancelled during a shake-up at ITV in 1999, but did return for a one-off 20th anniversary special in 2007.
The popular show won Cook a Bafta award for ’25 years of outstanding quality investigative reporting’.
ITV paid tribute, with a statement which read: ‘In a career spanning an incredible five decades, Roger Cook’s ground-breaking approach to investigative journalism made him one of broadcasting’s most trusted and respected figures.
‘On his eponymous current affairs programme, The Cook Report, Roger worked tirelessly to expose criminal wrongdoing and injustice, helping to drive important and lasting changes in the law.
‘His fearless contribution to journalism will long be remembered, and we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to his wife, family and friends at this difficult time.’
While Cook is best known for his eponymous show, he began his career at the Australian Broadcasting Company before moving to the BBC in 1968, working across radio and television.
In 1973, he moved to Radio 4’s Checkpoint, which specialised in uncovering criminals and injustice – a topic that earned him some enemies too.
The presenter was threatened in 1979 by music mogul – and Sharon Osbourne’s dad – Don Arden after investigating the business practices of the rock manager.
Two years later, Cook was assaulted by an antique dealer, resulting in three cracked ribs. The entire thing was caught on camera for Newsnight.
‘Mr Harris invited me to step outside and talk things through, but his means of communication proved to be a metal bar,’ he said of the attack.
After this, he moved to Central (later ITV) and launched The Cook Report, earning him the reputation of the ‘most beaten up journalist in Britain’.