Highly respected newsreader Ian Ross died early Wednesday morning in a Gold Coast hospital, aged 73.
He had pancreatic cancer. Ross retired in 2009 after a media career that began in 1957, spent mostly at the Nine Network, followed by seven years with Seven News.
"Ian Ross was a champion bloke," said Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner. "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."
In a statement the Seven news team 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."
Director of Seven News, Sydney, Chris Willis said: “We all loved Roscoe. He was the consummate newsman and a wonderful human being. He had incredibly high professional standards and could be a tough task master. He led our news brilliantly in the time he was here.
“He was also great fun to work with. He was serious about his job, but didn’t take himself too seriously and frequently entertained the newsroom with jokes at his own expense. We will all treasure our memories of Roscoe.”
Ross worked for Nine for 37 years. Nine Entertainment Co. CEO David Gyngell 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. Roscoe 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."
Nine News anchor Peter Overton said Ross would be remembered for his warmth and dignity, observing, "Roscoe, he's a fighter, but he lost it today."
He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, his former wife and his partner of 22 years Gray Bolte.