The family and representatives of Richard Morecroft have confirmed that he died aged 70 after a battle with cancer. The statement also confirmed that he died “at a time of his choosing.”
Richard Morecroft was one of Australia’s best-known television newsreaders and broadcasters. He was perhaps best known as the presenter of ABC News for close to two decades from 1983 to 2002. He also presented Behind the News (BTN), co-hosted ABC’s The National, and fronted election-night coverage. Later, he found a new audience as the host of SBS quiz show Letters and Numbers from 2010 to 2012, alongside David Astle and Lily Serna.
“Sadly, our beloved Richard died today, at a time of his choosing, on the south coast of NSW,” a representative wrote in a statement. “He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and was grateful to go peacefully, with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, beside him.
“We are devastated to lose such a warm, generous and caring human and hope that all those who knew him, if only through their TV screens, will remember him fondly.”
He had shared that he spent some time at a cancer treatment facility in July 2026.
“Soaking up the last rays of the winter sun on a chilly Jervis Bay afternoon,” he wrote at the time. “It’s heaven to come home after nearly 6 weeks in hospital at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney…”
Following the announcement, tributes started rolling in for the beloved presenter, including from our own team.
“Richard Morecroft was the face of the news as I was growing up, first in my hometown of Adelaide when we would tune into BTN at school, then at home during dinner when he anchored the ABC 7 pm News. As a fellow Adelaidean, he inspired the budding journalist in me and as a newsreader he was a calm and authoritative presenter, and I knew when I heard his sign-off, ‘and that’s the news to this minute ’, that I was up to date with the world,” said editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Sophie Tedmanson.
“Growing up, Richard Morecroft was the voice that delivered the news each evening as my family gathered around the TV – he felt like a calm and kind presence who made sense of the world’s events,” says Tiffany Dunk, Deputy Editor of The Weekly, host of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories podcast, Editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly Icons magazine. “As a competitive wordsmith, I also loved playing along in later years when he hosted Letters and Numbers on SBS. His unexpected passing is such a loss, and my heart goes out to his family.”
Among the tributes were politicians, friends, family, and former colleagues.
“Richard was a great Australian, and we were lucky to have him as part of our lives,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “He loved the arts and was deeply passionate about our natural environment. Nothing completed the picture so delightfully as the time we learned that he used to keep a baby flying fox safe and sound beneath the desk while he was presenting the news.”
“Combining a consummate professionalism with an unyielding humanity, Richard was a figure of absolute trust, a warm and familiar presence who guided us through the good times and bad.”
“The best way I can describe Richard is that he was a gentleman, and a gentle man,” wrote fellow journalist, Leigh Sales. “He was pure class in every way – a kind, warm and generous colleague, as well as being a consummate professional. I had so much admiration and regard for him and I consider myself a lucky person indeed to have been his friend. My love and condolences to you Alison xx”
“Richard was such an amazing champion of our family who encouraged each and every one of us in all our endeavours – a brilliant brother to Andrew, brother-in-law to me, uncle to Sarah & Chris and Christopher & Taylah and great-uncle to Zoe, Oscar, Jack, Luna and Jeffrey. We will miss him always. Forever in our hearts,” said family member Wendy Morecroft.
“I’m so sorry to hear this. Richard was a superb newsreader and a lovely man. My condolences to Alison and the rest of Richard’s family and friends,” said former ABC journalist, Michael Rowland.
“This is such sad news. He was many of our first experience with the news with BTN. My condolences to his family and friends,” wrote David Campbell.
Vale Richard Morecroft,
