Veteran TV Journalist Mike Willesee Dies Aged 76

Legendary television journalist Mike Willesee has passed away at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

A household name in Australia, journalist and television presenter, Mike Willesee has died of throat cancer. He was 76-years -old at the time of his passing.

The host of ABC’s "This Day Tonight" and "Four Corners" has a long career that lasted over 50 years. He also appeared on Channel Nine’s "A Current Affairs" and his own nightly current affairs show, "Willesee At Seven."

He was famous for his interviewing skills and gained fame after questioning of the prime minister Harold Holt about the appointment of a new ABC chairman. David Hurley, the former executive producer of A Current Affair, described Willesee as a “big friendly bear of a man” who was a master of the craft of interviewing.

Willesee was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2016. In an interview with ABC’s "Australian Story" he had said:

“I was getting sick and I had a lot of pain in one side of my jaw. It was cancer. The prognosis wasn’t very good. Six to 12 months.”

His death saddened many fans as he long outlived doctors expectations. The ABC network called Willesee a great of Australian journalism and an important part of ABC history.

“All at the ABC extend our condolences to his family and loved ones,” said the network in a statement.