Veteran Australian broadcaster Roger Climpson dies at 93
Climpson, a familiar face on 7NEWS, hosted flagship programs and co-anchored Seven's Nightly News
Veteran television and radio presenter Roger Climpson has died at age 93, 7NEWS and colleagues confirmed on Wednesday.
Climpson was a recognisable presence on Australian screens for decades after joining the Seven Network in the 1960s. He hosted high-profile programs including This Is Your Life and Australia's Most Wanted and later returned to the news desk to co-anchor Seven's Nightly News in Sydney alongside Ann Sanders.
Ann Sanders, now host of Seven's Afternoon News, paid tribute to her former colleague, calling him "an absolute gentleman on and off camera — warm, quick-witted and kind." 7NEWS Sydney co-anchor Mark Ferguson said he remembered watching Climpson as a teenager, describing him as "all class — informed and engaging, with a voice that made you sit up and listen." Ferguson added that Climpson had been "very warm and very welcoming" to a young, nervous viewer.
Geoff Dunn, news director at 7NEWS Sydney, said Climpson defined "a golden era of broadcast television" and "stood out as one of Australia's most authoritative news presenters." Dunn recalled the "trademark wink and beaming smile" that became part of Climpson's nightly sign-off and said the presenter "felt like a friend" to many viewers.
Born in England in 1931, Climpson emigrated to Australia and built a long career in broadcasting, working in both radio and television. He became one of Sydney's most recognisable news presenters after joining the Seven Network in the 1960s and remained associated with major programs and current-affairs formats throughout his career.
Seven Network issued a statement extending condolences to Climpson's family. The network highlighted his contributions to Australian television and noted the impact he had on viewers and colleagues alike.
Climpson's career spanned a period of significant change in Australian media, from the expansion of television in the postwar decades through the professionalisation of news presentation in later years. Colleagues and broadcasters who followed said his authoritative delivery and personable style helped set a standard for commercial television news in Sydney.
Details about funeral arrangements and surviving family members were not announced immediately. 7NEWS and former colleagues said they would share further information when available.