Veteran broadcaster Richard Morecroft, who spent nearly two decades as the trusted face of ABC's 7pm NSW news bulletin, has died aged 70 following a battle with cancer. He passed away on Tuesday on New South Wales's south coast, with his family confirming he died "at a time of his choosing," peacefully and surrounded by love.

A statement shared through Morecroft's Instagram page confirmed he had been diagnosed with cancer earlier in 2026 and died with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, by his side.

"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," his family wrote.

A career that defined a generation of Australian broadcasting

Born in England in 1956, Morecroft migrated to Adelaide with his family at the age of 10. He went on to study at the University of Adelaide, where he first found his voice in broadcasting through the university's radio station before joining the ABC.

He began his television career presenting the ABC's South Australian news bulletin before relocating to Sydney, where he became one of the most recognisable faces in Australian journalism. From 1983 to 2002 — nearly two full decades — Morecroft anchored the ABC's flagship 7pm NSW news bulletin, becoming a nightly constant in the lives of millions of Australian households.

Beyond the main bulletin desk, Morecroft also presented Behind the News, the ABC's long-running children's current affairs program, introducing younger audiences to the world of journalism. He later brought his warm and quietly authoritative style to SBS, hosting the beloved word-and-number quiz show Letters and Numbers alongside Lily Serna from 2010 to 2012, across a remarkable 450 episodes that continue to air in repeats today.

Tributes pour in from political and media figures

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay public tribute, describing Morecroft as "a consummate professional with heart" who had become "a beloved part of Australian life."

"As the face and the voice of the news of the ABC, Richard became a beloved part of Australian life," the Prime Minister said. "Richard was a great Australian and we were lucky to have him as part of our lives."

Albanese also reflected on a widely admired quirk that revealed the depth of Morecroft's character — his passion for the environment reportedly extended to occasionally keeping a baby flying fox under his desk while on air.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman described the broadcaster as "one of Australia's most respected and familiar broadcasters," saying the organisation was "deeply saddened" by his passing.

"Richard brought warmth, intelligence and a dry wit to SBS's Letters and Numbers," Palfreyman said, adding that his "enduring appeal" was evident in the continued popularity of the show's reruns.

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks called Morecroft one of the "great broadcasters of his generation," a sentiment echoed across the Australian media industry.

Veteran journalist and Australian Story presenter Leigh Sales offered a deeply personal tribute, recalling how Morecroft had gone out of his way to welcome her when she arrived as a junior reporter in the Sydney newsroom.

"Richard Morecroft was not only a consummate presenter, he was a true gentleman — generous and courteous to a fault," Sales wrote. "He was universally admired and respected." She described him as a "truly lovely, kind, caring and gentle human" and said she was "privileged to call him a friend."

Former ABC presenter Michael Rowland also paid his respects, calling Morecroft a "superb" newsreader and a lovely man.

Across social media, hundreds of Australians shared their memories of watching Morecroft deliver the evening news, with many describing him as "one of the most wonderful human beings on the planet" and "my favourite newsreader of all time."

A dignified final chapter

Morecroft had publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis in July 2026, sharing a candid update on social media after spending nearly six weeks receiving treatment at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney.

"Soaking up the last rays of the winter sun on a chilly Jervis Bay afternoon," he wrote alongside a beachside selfie. "It's heaven to come home after nearly six weeks in hospital."

His openness about his illness — and his dignified, measured approach to his final months — drew an outpouring of warmth from the Australian public, consistent with the grace that had defined his decades on screen. For those who grew up watching him deliver the nightly bulletin, his passing marks the end of a broadcasting era.

Richard Morecroft is survived by his partner Alison Mackay. His family has asked that those who knew him, whether in person or through their television screens, remember him fondly.

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