Former ABC veteran news anchor Richard Morecroft has died at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer.

A statement shared on social media said Morecroft, who presented the ABC’s 7pm news bulletin from 1983 to 2002, died on Tuesday “at a time of his choosing” on the New South Wales south coast.

“He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and was grateful to go peacefully, with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, beside him,” it said.

“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.”

British-born Morecroft moved to Adelaide with his family as a child and started out presenting the ABC’s 7pm news bulletin in South Australia. He transferred in the early 1980s to Sydney, where he hosted the network’s 7pm NSW bulletin, as well as children’s current affairs show Behind the News.

After leaving his news role in 2002, the environmental advocate returned to present nature program Richard Morecroft Goes Wild, and later went on to host SBS’s Letters and Numbers game show.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that through his role as a long-time ABC news anchor, Morecroft had become “a beloved part of Australian life”.

“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 the bad,” he said in a statement shared on social media.

“He loved the arts and was deeply passionate about our natural environment.”

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Richard Morecroft. As the face and the voice of the news of the ABC, Richard became a beloved part of Australian life.

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.

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.

Richard was a great Australian and we were lucky to have him as part of our lives.

Our thoughts now are with his partner Alison Mackay.

May Richard Morecroft rest in peace.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 6, 2026

The ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, described Morecroft as “one of the great broadcasters of his generation”.

“His intelligence, warmth and professionalism, beamed into homes across Australia for almost two decades, made him a trusted presence in the lives of Australians and an enduring part of the ABC’s history,” Marks said.

Others who have paid tribute to Morecroft include ABC presenter Leigh Sales, who worked with him in the Sydney ABC TV newsroom. She said he was a “consummate presenter” and “true gentleman – generous and courteous to a fault”.

“His kind nature revealed itself in many ways – from the baby possum he nurtured inside his suit jacket for a period while reading the news, to the way he would seek out newly arrived junior staff to welcome them to the team.

“He was universally admired and respected.”

SBS managing director Jane Palfreyman said the network was “deeply saddened” by Morecroft’s death.

“Richard brought warmth, intelligence and a dry wit to SBS’s Letters and Numbers,” Palfreyman said.

“From 2010 to 2012, he hosted the much-loved quiz show alongside David Astle and Lily Serna, introducing a generation of viewers to the joy of words and numbers across a remarkable 450 episodes. These episodes continue to be repeated today, reflecting Richard’s enduring appeal.”