Award-winning British journalist Roger Cook has died following a short illness, according to a statement released by his family.

Cook was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern investigative television journalism, earning recognition for his fearless reporting style and his willingness to confront individuals accused of wrongdoing directly.

He became a household name through the ITV programme The Cook Report, which attracted millions of viewers and became one of Britain’s most influential investigative news shows. The programme was known for exposing criminal activity, fraud, corruption and other forms of misconduct through in-depth investigations.

Throughout a career spanning several decades, Cook reported on issues including organised crime, child exploitation, illegal trading networks and international conflicts. His work frequently placed him in challenging and sometimes dangerous situations as he pursued stories across the world.

One of his most enduring contributions to journalism was popularising the “doorstep interview”—a technique in which reporters directly confront individuals about allegations uncovered during investigations. The approach later became a common feature of television journalism.

Before his success on television, Cook worked in radio and contributed to current affairs programmes for the BBC. He later expanded his work into books, including his autobiography, Dangerous Ground.

His achievements earned him numerous honours, including a special award from British Academy of Film and Television Arts recognising his contribution to investigative journalism.

In a tribute, ITV praised Cook for exposing criminal activity and injustice, noting that many of his investigations produced effects that extended well beyond television screens.

Cook is remembered as a journalist whose determination, courage and distinctive reporting style helped shape investigative broadcasting in Britain and influenced generations of reporters.