Roger James Cook, the investigative journalist renowned for his fearless exposés of fraudsters, con artists, and criminals, has died at the age of 83 following a brief illness. His career in journalism was marked by a commitment to uncovering wrongdoing through often confrontational and hazardous reporting, which earned him both admiration and threats to his safety.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 6, 1943, Cook moved with his family to Sydney, Australia, during World War II. After working various roles in Australian media, including as a scriptwriter and reporter for the national broadcaster ABC, he relocated to Britain in 1968. There, he joined BBC Radio, eventually becoming a presenter on programs such as PM and The World at One before creating the influential consumer affairs show Checkpoint in 1973.

Checkpoint, which ran until 1985, gained more than two million listeners with its investigative approach to consumer injustice and fraud. Cook’s style was direct and often confrontational, using a tape recorder to challenge suspects and sometimes enduring physical attacks. On one occasion, he was thrown down a flight of stairs by a mortgage company director and was once run over while confronting a man preying on pensioners. His investigations during this period sometimes sparked complaints over his aggressive interviewing techniques, yet the program was notable for its willingness to name individuals and companies involved in wrongdoing.

Cook’s efforts to translate Checkpoint into a television format initially met resistance at the BBC, where more cautious consumer shows like Watchdog were preferred. In 1987, he moved to ITV, where The Cook Report ran for 16 series until 1997, followed by occasional specials until 1999. The show widened its scope to tackle a broad array of issues including loan sharks, counterfeit goods, drug trafficking, people smuggling, and international crimes such as baby trading in South America. Its global investigations often drew significant risks, including death threats and physical assaults.

Despite its success and impact, The Cook Report faced legal challenges. Notably, a 1992 libel case involving an army corporal resulted in over £700,000 in damages and costs. Another libel claim emerged in 1994 related to remarks made by a fertility expert in an episode about cot deaths. In 2000, the News of the World alleged that some segments of the program were fabricated, accusations that were later dismissed by the Independent Television Commission.

Cook’s career was not without controversy. A claim he made in 1990—and published by the Daily Mirror—that the miners’ leader Arthur Scargill received mortgage payments funded by Libya during the 1984-85 strike was proven false more than a decade later, leading to a public apology from the Mirror’s then-editor.

Cook received numerous accolades over his career, including a special Bafta award in 1998. His autobiography, Dangerous Ground, was published in 1999 and updated in 2011. After The Cook Report ended, he returned to ITV in 2007 with Roger Cook’s Greatest Hits, revisiting some of his most notable investigations.

Cook is survived by his second wife, Frances Knox, and their daughter, Belinda. His first marriage, to Madeline Koh, ended in divorce. Throughout his life, Cook was recognized for his relentless pursuit of truth and his willingness to confront wrongdoing firsthand, leaving a lasting legacy in investigative journalism.