‘Ultimate news man’ Frank Warrick dies, age 76

Frank Warrick, legendary 7News Queensland newsreader and presenter of The World Around Us, has died at the age of 76. 7News broke the sad news on Tuesday morning, saying he died Tuesday “surrounded by family”. Warrick, who retired from news reading in 2001 after 25 years, had been suffering from dementia, however it’s not clear what caused his death.

“My sincere condolences to Frank’s wife Lyn and family,” Kay McGrath, Warrick’s long-time co-news-anchor, said in a statement, 7News reports. “We had a very successful 13-year, on-air relationship during the ’80s and ’90s when 6pm news was a ritual for viewers. Live TV can be a challenging environment at times, but we always had each other’s backs.

“Frank was the consummate professional — I never saw him fazed or flustered on air. He taught me a lot and I’m very saddened to hear he’s left ‘this world around us’.”

A consummate professional who’ll be much missed. Frank and I always had each other’s backs on air during a highly successful 13 year partnership. ⁦@7NewsBrisbane⁩ https://t.co/D01FcBtLZW

— Kay McGrath (@KayMcGrath7) May 11, 2021

7News’ Brisbane news director Neil Warren said in a statement, “Frank changed the way TV news was delivered in Queensland, going live on air for hours on end with breaking news and putting himself at the centre of big stories. He was the ultimate news man and what he pioneered back then continues with our team today.”

Warrick’s TV career first began in 1976, after he joined the Channel Seven Queensland team. He will be remembered with a special tribute on 7News at 6pm tonight.