Australian gay former news anchor dies of pancreatic cancer
One of Australia’s most recognisable news broadcasters has died of cancer just months after coming out as gay.
Ian Ross went public about his long-term relationship with Gray Bolte in January this year.
Ross credited the support of Gray, his ex-wife and his three children for his positive attitude throughout his illness.
He was diagnosed with cancer after visiting a doctor with a sore foot just before Christmas. Tests revealed it had spread to his liver, and he was given five months to live.
Ross’s career spanned five decades starting off in 1957 at Sydney radio station 2GB. He then went on to spend 38 years at Channel Nine working on the Channel Nine News and the Today Show.
He joined Channel Seven in 2003 where he took their struggling news programme to make it number one within two years.
Ross, 73, retired to the Gold Coast in 2009.
He was divorced with three adult children and eight grandchildren.
“The Nine and Seven networks and the whole television industry have lost one of our best and bravest in the sad passing of Ian Ross,” said Co-chief Executive David Gyngell of Nine Entertainment.
“That he was universally loved by his peers in as tough and competitive an industry as television news says it all. What’s more, his wide audience also thought the world of him.
“Ian was a lovely man – warm, generous, hilarious, a great, loyal friend to all his colleagues and the ultimate professional. He will be sadly missed. I extend our deepest condolences to Ian’s family and his partner Gray.”
