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Vale: Ian ‘Roscoe’ Ross

Legendary news presenter Ian 'Roscoe" Ross, has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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Legendary news presenter Ian ‘Roscoe” Ross, has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ross is understood to have died last night in a Gold Coast hospital, aged 73.

He retired from television in 2009 after a media career that began in 1957, mostly at the Nine Network, before returning to television at Seven News in 2003.

He announced his cancer diagnosis in January but chose not not to undergo chemotherapy.

”I have decided that the only way to handle this friggin’ nightmare is to remain as positive about it as I possibly can and to get back to leading as ‘normal’ a life as possible. Right now I feel healthy and well, I have no symptoms … but I don’t know how long that will last for,” he said.

A statement from Seven said: “The entire team at Seven News is deeply saddened by the death of our wonderful colleague, friend and mentor, Ian Ross.

“Roscoe – as he is known to everyone – delivered Sydney’s Seven News for seven years before he retired in 2009.

“In a career spanning five decades, Roscoe was one of the most popular newsreaders in Australian television history – a perfect mix of on-road experience and on-camera charisma.

“More than that, he was respected, trusted, and with a warm personality viewers loved. What you saw on television was the man behind the scenes. He was loved by everyone in the newsroom.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to Roscoe’s partner Gray and his family.”

David Gyngell CEO of Nine said, “The Nine and Seven networks and the whole television industry have lost one of our best and bravest in the sad passing of Ian Ross.

“Rosscoe is the good guy who always finished first.

“That he was universally loved by his peers in as tough and competitive an industry as television news says it all. What’s more, his wide audience also thought the world of him.

“Ian was a lovely man – warm, generous, hilarious, a great, loyal friend to all his colleagues and the ultimate professional. He will be sadly missed. I extend our deepest condolences to Ian’s family and his partner Gray.”

Tim Worner CEO said, “Ian Ross was a champion bloke.

“News rooms bring out the best of characters and Roscoe was one of the best of the best.

“Everyone who had the opportunity to work alongside Roscoe during his 50 year journalistic career will remember him with tremendous affection.

“Ian joined the Seven News team in Martin Place in 2003, after a lengthy spell with Channel Nine, Sydney.

“It was a seamless, comfortable transition, exactly like everything Roscoe undertook, and there can be no doubt he was instrumental in what became a critical period for Seven. He was proud of that. And he deserved to be.

“Our love and thoughts are with Ian’s longtime partner Gray and other members of his family. They all meant the world to Roscoe. And Roscoe meant the world to us.”

This post updates.

Photo: Fairfax

14 Responses

  1. I think Seven News’ tribute is the best and it was nice to see mention of his partner as many viewers would never have had a clue he was gay. Of course it didn’t make any difference to his career, but I think it’s important to note that such a high profile television personality had a long-term successful same-sex relationship which passed without comment and drama in a pre-internet world:

    au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/23081697/ian-ross-dies-aged-73/

  2. I had the pleasure of working with Ian at TCN9 in the late 60s-early 70s. No matter how demanding the story, be it Sydney bush fires OB, a third retake because of film camera problems, or a marathon overnight then all day hosting of the moon landing (with Kevin Sanders & Eric Pearce in Melb) he never lost his cool, complained, or was anything other than a true professional and a true gentleman with it. Such a sad loss. A great tribute from TCN newsreader Brian Henderson, who probably knew Ian best. “Only the good die young”.

  3. As a viewer, he always struck me as a genuine lovely guy, and judging by the comments from his colleagues and friends he really was the real deal, so his spirit really shone through right there on the small screen. Gone too soon!

  4. Ian Ross – a beacon of a time when people working in TV news had class and style, and were very good at what they did.

    Always a pleasure to deal with – a class act.

  5. It’s always sad when someone passes, but every now and then you read a news headline that truly breaks your heart and leaves you feeling empty and gutted. RIP Roscoe.

  6. ‘A True Gentleman’…never did this statement fit so well….
    I love the B & W pic of him dressed casually…I have never seen him that way…and even casual…All Class!

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