Roger Cook, the investigative journalist best known for hosting the long-running current affairs programme The Cook Report, has died at the age of 83 after a short illness.
A Career of Uncovering the Truth
The ITV show aired for 16 series, from July 1987 to August 1999, with Cook investigating a wide range of topics, from criminal activity to government policy failures. His work earned him a Bafta award for '25 years of outstanding quality investigative reporting'.
A statement from his family 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.'
ITV Pays Tribute
ITV released a statement honouring Cook's legacy: '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.'
Early Career and Challenges
Before his iconic show, Cook began his journalism career at the Australian Broadcasting Company before moving to the BBC in 1968. He worked across radio and television, and in 1973 joined Radio 4's Checkpoint, which specialised in uncovering criminals and injustice. This work earned him some enemies.
In 1979, he was threatened by music mogul Don Arden, father of Sharon Osbourne, after investigating the business practices of the rock manager. Two years later, Cook was assaulted by an antique dealer, resulting in three cracked ribs, an attack captured on camera for Newsnight. Cook recalled: 'Mr Harris invited me to step outside and talk things through, but his means of communication proved to be a metal bar.'
After these incidents, he moved to Central (later ITV) and launched The Cook Report, earning a reputation as the 'most beaten up journalist in Britain'. The programme was cancelled in 1999 during an ITV shake-up, but returned for a one-off 20th anniversary special in 2007.
