LONDON, U.K. — Investigative journalist and broadcaster Roger Cook died peacefully on Saturday in the U.K. at age 83 following a short illness. Cook was known for pioneering the television doorstep interview format.

Cook was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia, where he began his broadcasting career. He moved to the U.K. in 1968. In the 1970s, Cook created and presented the BBC Radio 4 program "Checkpoint."

His program, The Cook Report, launched on ITV and ran for 16 series until 1999, attracting up to 12 million viewers at its peak. Cook's investigations led to police inquiries and criminal convictions, including a case involving Johnny Palmer, whose money laundering exposé contributed to an eight-year prison sentence for timeshare fraud. The program investigated protection rackets in Northern Ireland, the adoption trade in Guatemala, and the infected blood scandal.

In 1981, while reporting for BBC Newsnight, an antiques dealer Cook investigated beat him with a metal bar. Cook received a special BAFTA award in 1997 for 25 years of investigative reporting.

In 2000, Cook filed a libel lawsuit against the News of the World over allegations that he faked program scenes and conspired with criminals to stage crimes. He settled the lawsuit in 2002 after the publication admitted its reporting was incorrect.

ITV stated, "In a career spanning an incredible five decades, Roger Cook's ground-breaking approach to investigative journalism made him one of broadcasting's most trusted and respected figures. On his eponymous current affairs programme, The Cook Report, Roger worked tirelessly to expose criminal wrongdoing and injustice, helping to drive important and lasting changes in the law. His fearless contribution to journalism will long be remembered, and we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to his wife, family and friends at this difficult time." Cook's family said, "Alongside a distinguished and award winning career in journalism, Roger was first and foremost a beloved husband and father. He will be deeply missed by all of us, and we ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult loss."

No independent assessment of Roger Cook’s claims was available.