TV lore John Westacott, a contentious media personality and 16-year host of 60 Minutes, passed away aboard a boat in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs following what is thought to have been a medical emergency.
An enthusiastic yachtsman named Westacott, who is said to be in his mid-70s, had to be removed from Sydney Harbour by NSW Police Marine Area Command at about 1.30 p.m.
NSW Ambulance personnel spent 30 minutes trying to resuscitate him at Vaucluse dock while being seen by concerned bystanders.
While working at 60 Minutes till 2010, Westacott was a legend in Sydney’s television business and regarded as the maestro of chequebook reporting.
He is considered as a Nine Network legend and is credited for elevating 60 Minutes while serving as the program’s executive producer.
Garry Linnell was replaced as Nine’s director of news and current affairs in 2007 by the program’s longtime executive producer.
He had been working at Nine for 23 years at that point and was considered as the network’s most seasoned TV news reporter at the time of its network crisis.
After he was charged with making derogatory and sexist statements to female journalists in 2008, Westacott made headlines.
At a book event last year, Westacott is said to have informed a group of female journalists that they were chosen only for their sexual attractiveness.
To succeed in this field, you need to be f***able. Women need to be f***able to succeed in this business,’ Westacott is claimed to have stated.
Christine Spiteri, a former Los Angeles reporter for Nine, made the accusations in a lawsuit for sexual harassment and unjust dismissal for which she wanted $500,000 in damages.