The journalist who invented the doorstep interview, Roger Cook, has died peacefully after a short illness, his family has confirmed. He was 83.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Cook moved to the UK in the late 1960s, where his career took him from BBC Radio 4 – working on The World At One, the PM Programme, Checkpoint and The World This Weekend – to ITV, where he presented The Cook Report for 16 series between 1987 and 1999. At its peak, more than 12 million watched his investigations.
“Roger Cook, pioneer of doorstep investigative journalism, dies aged 83 after short illness.”
His family said in a statement: "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."
Cook's confrontational style – exposing criminal wrongdoing and injustice on camera, often on the subject's doorstep – won him a Bafta special award for "25 years of outstanding quality investigative reporting". But it also came at a cost. He sustained three broken ribs during a 1981 doorstep confrontation when an alleged car thief hit him with a baseball bat. At one point, police said a hitman had been hired to kill him. In total, his brand of journalism landed him in hospital around 30 times.
Despite the risks, Cook believed the doorstep approach was essential, even if he hated it. Speaking to fellow journalist Ruth Wishart on Life Behind the News, he said introducing a more confrontational reporting style had been necessary and suited his personality.
His work exposed child abuse, Northern Ireland protection rackets, baby trading in Brazil, the illicit ivory trade and the Russian black market in weapons-grade plutonium. He also investigated illegal immigration, war criminals in Bosnia and terror attacks including those behind the September 11 attacks in New York.
ITV, which broadcast The Cook Report, led the tributes. The network praised his "groundbreaking approach to investigative journalism", which it said "made him one of broadcasting's most trusted and respected figures". ITV added: "He 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."
Cook's relentless pursuit of crooks and charlatans defined a generation of investigative reporting. As he knew, audience research had revealed the public liked seeing him take on the bad guys – they just didn't want to see him get hit.