Media veteran Ian Ross diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

Media veteran Ian Ross diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

ICONIC Australian news anchorman Ian (Roscoe) Ross has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after a routine blood test in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The prognosis is that Ross has five months left to live, after it was discovered the cancer had spread to his liver.

“I have decided that the only way to handle this friggin’ nightmare is to remain as positive about it as I possibly can and to get back to leading as ‘normal’ a life as possible,” Ross told Fairfax Media.

“Right now I feel healthy and well, I have no symptoms … but I don’t know how long that will last for.”

Ross also spoke about the support he had from his family, including his ex-wife, three children, eight grandchildren and his longterm partner Gray Bolte.

“I’m still training at the gym, going for walks and doing the things I love to do, like meditating, which I have found very helpful. Ostensibly nothing has changed in my life … but we did take an emotional battering when we received the news, but we are dealing with it really well … we being my partner Gray and family,” Ross said.

Having retired from reading the news in 2009, in Ross’ 50 year career this is the first time spoke publicly about his 22-year relationship with Bolte.

Openly-gay newsreader Brooklyn Ross, who works for the ARN’s The Edge 96.1FM, spoke with the Star Observer and had this message of support for Rosscoe:

“I grew up watching Roscoe on the Today Show every morning, and remember his first night presenting news for Channel 7. It was so exciting to see him out of retirement, bringing a sense of real authority back to the network. I feel extremely lucky to live at a time when I can start my career being open about my sexuality. I don’t ever take that for granted. Roscoe has seen (and reported on) massive societal changes over his career, and it’s wonderful he’s able to speak honestly about it now.”
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4 responses to “Media veteran Ian Ross diagnosed with pancreatic cancer”

  1. You are a legend Roscoe! You’re someone who can tread that fine line of being an authoritative newsreader but with a sense of humour and empathy. I’m sending you all the good vibes in the world!

  2. I remember Rosco when he did weekends 6pm news for TCN 9 in Sydney, they were the days with real people like Rosco and Hendo.. In fact if you read this Ross, you used to work with my dad at TCN 9 Willoughby, Greg Smith, who did years in OB and then video tape and Telecine..

    Anyway, thinking of you and your partner – –

    Cheers

    Jeremy