Breaking: Veteran news anchor Richard Morecroft dies, aged 70 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Richard Morecroft has died after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)

Veteran news anchor Richard Morecroft has died, aged 70.

Morecroft presented ABC's 7pm news bulletin from 1983 to 2002.

He also hosted Letters and Numbers on SBS, as well as popular children's current affairs show Behind the News on ABC.

A spokesperson confirmed the death on Tuesday night, saying Morecroft had died "at a time of his choosing, on the south coast of NSW".

"He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and was grateful to go peacefully, with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, beside him," they said in an Instagram post.

"We are devastated to lose such a warm, generous and caring human and hope that all those who knew him, if only through their TV screens, will remember him fondly."

Hundreds have paid tribute to Morecroft on social media, with Australian Story presenter Leigh Sales describing Morecroft as a "gentle man".

"He was pure class in every way," she said.

"I consider myself a lucky person indeed to have been his friend.

"I remember I started in the Sydney newsroom as a junior reporter ... and he went out of his way to welcome me ... touch base with me and to make sure that I was going OK.

Ms Sales said Morecroft had been a "reassuring presence in people's homes" for decades.

"He was full of life, he adored nature, he loved art, he loved people, he was just kind and caring, through and through," she said.

She said she saw Morecroft about a month ago when he was "dealing with bad news in a very stoic way and dignified manner".

ABC managing director Hugh Marks said Morecroft was "one of the great broadcasters of his generation".

"His intelligence, warmth and professionalism, beamed into homes across Australia for almost two decades, made him a trusted presence in the lives of Australians and an enduring part of the ABC's history," he said in a statement.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues."