Beloved broadcaster Roger Climpson has died aged 93. He was best known for fronting This is Your Life and Seven News throughout his five-decade career. The Australian media icon was reported to have died peacefully in his sleep at around 1 am on Wednesday (September 17). Among his decades-long work in radio and television, he hosted This Is Your Life between 1977 and 1980, and presented Australia’s Most Wanted between 1997 and 1999.
Roger also went on to present Sydney’s 2GB afternoon shift from 1977 and anchored Sydney’s Seven News between 1989 and 1994. His TV career first began in 1956 at Nine, where he launched his career as an announcer, weatherman and newsreader. He became a fan-favourite across homes in Australia, and he hosted Rendezvous with Roger and The House and Garden Show. However, after Nine chairman Sir Frank Packer refused to issue a £5 pay rise, Roger left and joined Seven, where he served as a news presenter for 15 years.
Leading the tributes is 7NEWS Sydney co-anchor Mark Ferguson, who remembered Roger and said that he grew up watching the star on TV.
Mark penned: “For a nervous country kid, Roger was very warm and very welcoming, behind the desk he was all class – informed and engaging, with a voice that made you sit up and listen.
“Our condolences to his family, friends and the many viewers, who I’m sure thought of Roger as a trusted friend.”
7NEWS Sydney News Director Geoff Dunn said Climpson defined “a golden era of broadcast television. He stood out as one of Australia’s most authoritative news presenters.”
Hope Media CEO Phillip Randall said: “Roger left a legacy of love, faith and vision at Hope Media. So much so, it’s virtually impossible to sum it all up in a few words.
“During his term as Chairman, Roger oversaw a time of great change for the ministry, enabling it to engage with a wider audience and meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.
“In doing so, he helped lay a foundation which has been pivotal for now and the future. He holds a special place in our hearts and history,” Phillip said.
Journalist Michael Smyth added: “Sad to hear of the passing of Roger Climpson. Fond memories as a kid of going to tapings of This Is Your Life when my mum worked on the show. He was a great broadcaster.”