Trailblazing investigative reporter Roger Cook dies

Roger Cook, the pioneering investigative reporter who built a career confronting criminals face-to-face on camera and challenging them on their own doorstep, has died aged 83.

His family said in a statement: "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."

A New Zealand-born British journalist, Cook joined ITV in 1985, launching the eponymous The Cook Report two years later.

The most popular current affairs programme on television at the time, with an audience of up to 10 million, it ran for 16 series and more than 120 episodes over 12 years, as Cook pursued criminals, conmen and corrupt officials.

The show was fearless in its pursuit of justice - exposing child pornography, Northern Ireland protection rackets, baby trading in Brazil and the illicit ivory trade.

It also tackled illegal immigration, war criminals in Bosnia, those behind 9/11 and other terrorist plots, as well as the Russian black market in weapons-grade plutonium.

Broken ribs in the pursuit of justice

Cook was injured many times in the course of making his programme and exposing wrongdoing, including suffering three broken ribs after confronting a Brighton antique dealer over his sale of fake antiques.

More than just compelling TV, his programmes had a real-world effect, with a number of his investigations followed by successful police prosecutions or major changes in the law.

Cook won a Bafta Television special award for the show in 1998.

Starting his journalism career in Australia, he moved to London in 1968 to join BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme as a reporter and presenter.

He later created and presented his BBC Radio 4 show Checkpoint, which ran from 1973 to 1985 and would lead the way to The Cook Report, which shared a similar format.

A Spitting Image puppet and spoof from Sir Stephen Fry

Cook's cultural impact was reflected in parodies from Benny Hill and Reeves and Mortimer, his own Spitting Image puppet, and nods on BBC Radio 4 and Channel 4, in dramas with investigative journalists inspired by him played by Sir Stephen Fry and Tony Slattery, respectively.

In 2007, Cook revisited some of his most famous stings in a 90-minute special titled Roger Cook's Greatest Hits, during which he admitted he had received death threats due to the series.

A statement from ITV, which launched his groundbreaking show The Cook Report in 1987, said: "In a career spanning an incredible five decades, Roger Cook's groundbreaking 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."

(c) Sky News 2026: Trailblazing investigative reporter Roger Cook dies