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Sue Cook

Sue Cook (born Susan Lorraine Thomas; 30 March 1949) is an English television and radio broadcaster and author, best known for her long tenure as a presenter on BBC programmes including Crimewatch UK, Nationwide, and Children in Need. Cook's broadcasting career began in 1974 at London's Capital Radio, where she worked as a producer, presenter, and DJ, marking the start of her over four decades in media. She joined the BBC in the mid-1970s, contributing to radio shows on BBC Radio 1, 2, and 4, such as presenting You and Yours for nearly five years and Making History for nine years from 1998 to 2006. On television, she gained prominence co-presenting Nationwide from 1976 to 1982, Breakfast Time in 1983, and Crimewatch UK alongside Nick Ross from 1984 to 1996, during which the programme became a flagship for public appeals on unsolved crimes. She also hosted or appeared on Holiday, Out of Court, Daytime Live, Collectors' Lot, and the annual Children in Need telethon from 1982 to 1995, often alongside Terry Wogan. A psychology graduate from the University of Leicester, Cook received an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1997 for her contributions to broadcasting. Transitioning from full-time broadcasting in the early 2000s, Cook pursued writing, publishing three books and fulfilling a lifelong ambition to become a with her debut, , in 2006, followed by in 2009; she is currently working on a third and adapting the first for film with her husband, director . She resides in and , and serves as a patron or ambassador for charities including the , Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, Children's Liver Disease Foundation, and British Wireless for the Blind Fund.

Early life and education

Family background

Sue Cook was born Susan Lorraine Thomas on 30 March 1949 in , , . Her father, William Thomas, served as a senior executive with the Commission on , the predecessor organization to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (). Her mother, Kathleen Thomas (c. 1920 – April 2025), managed the household as a homemaker in their middle-class family home in . She has two younger brothers. Cook's early childhood was shaped by the stability provided by her parents' professional and domestic roles, which instilled a sense of security and routine. Her mother's focus on health and nurturing family ties was evident in the household's emphasis on well-being, contributing to the family's remarkable longevity—highlighted by Cook's grandmother reaching 107 years old. Kathleen Thomas died peacefully in April 2025 at the age of 105. In interviews, Cook reflected on her mother's enduring legacy, describing how she had lived a full life dedicated to ensuring the security and happiness of her children, a value that profoundly influenced Cook's own development. This familial foundation transitioned into Cook's formal education at age 5.

Schooling and university

Sue Cook attended Glebe Primary School in , , where she completed her early education. She subsequently passed the examination, gaining entry to the newly established Vyners Grammar School, also in . There, her parents actively supported her academic progress, attending key events such as parents' evenings that highlighted her potential. Cook achieved strong results, earning 10 O-levels and 3 A-levels, including in . Following secondary school, Cook enrolled at the in 1968, initially planning to study and modern languages before adjusting her course due to scheduling conflicts. She ultimately pursued a combined program in , English, , and , graduating in 1971 with a () degree in . This academic foundation in cultivated her interest in , which subsequently shaped her approach to crime reporting in her broadcasting career.

Broadcasting career

Early media roles

Sue Cook began her broadcasting career in the early with the launch of commercial radio in the , joining London's Capital Radio in 1974 shortly before its official on-air debut. She started as a , , and , hosting live shows that ranged from sessions to discussions, including a daily consumer news bulletin she wrote and delivered throughout 1974 and 1975. By the end of 1975, Cook transitioned to the , where she was headhunted for radio work and joined as a reporter on the consumer affairs program You and Yours on , a role she held for nearly five years. She also presented segments on BBC Radios 1 and 2, including deputizing for Jimmy Young on his popular Radio 2 show, honing her skills in live audience interaction during this male-dominated era of broadcasting. Her university background in , studied at the , proved instrumental in engaging listeners by helping her understand and connect with audience psychology in real-time presentations. Cook's move to television came in , with her first on-screen appearances as a reporter on programs like Nationwide, where she contributed to live segments alongside established presenters. She later became a presenter on the program from 1981. By the early , she began co-hosting the 's annual Children in Need appeal, starting in November 1982 with and continuing until 1995, further developing her live presentation expertise amid the challenges of a field where women often faced underestimation and . Despite her initial shyness, which she later credited as a motivator to prove her abilities, Cook's natural, approachable style allowed her to build rapport with viewers effectively.

Major BBC programs

Cook gained prominence on television through several major BBC programs. In 1983, she co-presented Breakfast Time, the BBC's first breakfast television show. From 1984 to 1995, she co-presented Crimewatch UK alongside Nick Ross, during which the program became a flagship for public appeals on unsolved crimes, leading to numerous arrests and convictions. She also hosted or appeared on Holiday, Out of Court, Daytime Live, and Collectors' Lot. Her ongoing role in Children in Need from 1982 to 1995, often alongside Terry Wogan, solidified her reputation for live charity telethons.

Later broadcasting work

Following her departure from prime-time presenting roles in the mid-1990s, Sue Cook continued her career primarily through radio and occasional voice work. She presented the series Making History from 1998 to 2006, where she explored listeners' historical queries and uncovered related research avenues over nine years of weekly episodes. Cook also provided voiceovers and continuity announcements for programs extending into the early 2000s, maintaining a presence in . In a 2012 interview with , Cook reflected on her over 20 years at the , expressing satisfaction with her achievements despite noting that opportunities had significantly diminished: "the number of hours of TV increased exponentially and of course they have to fill it with lots of content so inevitably the quality drops," leading to her work drying up after leaving major on-screen roles. Her television appearances became sporadic in the 2010s, focusing on guest spots rather than regular presenting. Notable examples include recounting personal supernatural experiences on Celebrity Ghost Stories in 2011 and competing as a celebrity contestant on Pointless Celebrities in 2014. She also contributed to lifestyle-related media, such as fronting the launch of an equity release information DVD in 2010, aimed at . By the mid-2010s, Cook described her involvement as minimal, likening the end of regular TV work to a "bereavement" while embracing other pursuits.

Writing career

Debut novel

Sue Cook's debut novel, , was published in November 2006 by Hodder Headline. The book marks her entry into fiction writing following a distinguished in . The thriller centers on Pru, a woman whose seemingly stable life unravels when her husband confesses to a long-term on their 20th . Meanwhile, her daughter departs for a project in , where she becomes involved with political activists and faces danger in . Determined to protect Molly, Pru embarks on a perilous journey to Vietnam, where she uncovers layers of and confronts personal and external threats in an unfamiliar, exotic setting. The narrative explores the complexities of family secrets, betrayal, and amid a backdrop of cultural intrigue and hidden dangers. Cook drew inspiration for the novel from her extensive broadcasting experience, including crime reporting on BBC's , which informed the story's tense atmosphere and human drama, as well as her in from the , which shaped its examination of emotional and relational dynamics. This transition from on-air to authorship allowed her to channel real-world insights into fictional . Upon release, garnered positive critical reception for its engaging pace and authentic emotional depth. praised it as "a pacy, absorbing read," while Prima highlighted how it "will keep you hooked until the very end." The novel's success led Cook to collaborate with her husband, film director , on a adaptation, signaling its potential for broader media appeal.

Subsequent publications

Following the success of her debut, Sue Cook published her second , Force of Nature, in March 2009 through Hodder Headline. The story centers on Mark Elfick, who discovers that his 10-year-old daughter , conceived via IVF with his wife , was actually the result of an anonymous donor's sperm used without his knowledge, leading to his obsessive pursuit of the biological father that threatens to unravel two families amid themes of hidden truths and personal endurance. This thriller builds on psychological tension, reflecting Cook's experiences with real-life crime stories from her tenure in a single, taut narrative of moral dilemmas and resilience. Cook shifted toward more dedicated writing after departing Crimewatch in 1995, though she continued balancing her BBC commitments with authorship, initially debating between novels and screenplays before committing to fiction. By the late , as her television roles evolved, she embraced the demands of novel-writing full-time where possible, navigating challenges like tight deadlines and integrating journalistic precision into character-driven plots while maintaining other media engagements. The novel received positive notices for its gripping pacing and empathetic portrayal of family secrets, with reviewers praising its deft plotting and observational depth. Signed copies remain available directly through Cook's official website, underscoring ongoing fan interest. As of 2025, Cook has not published additional novels beyond , despite earlier indications of work on a third.

Film and media appearances

Production involvement

Sue Cook entered film production as executive producer for the 2010 British-New Zealand action-thriller Tracker, directed by her husband, Ian Sharp. The project stemmed from Sharp's interest in directing a period manhunt story set in early 20th-century New Zealand, with Cook providing oversight on budget, casting, and post-production elements during development, which spanned collaboration between UK-based financing and New Zealand locations for principal photography. The film, budgeted at approximately $6.5 million, featured Ray Winstone as a Boer War veteran tracking a Maori suspect portrayed by Temuera Morrison. Tracker premiered at the in September 2010 and saw a limited theatrical release in April , where it garnered praise for its tense narrative and strong lead performances but faced distribution challenges typical of independent international co-productions, resulting in modest returns. Despite these hurdles, the experience represented a key personal milestone for Cook, bridging her background with creative production roles and expanding her professional portfolio beyond on-air work. No additional film productions credit Cook in an executive capacity as of November 2025, though she maintains interest in screen adaptations, including ongoing development of her 2006 novel On Dangerous Ground for the screen.

Acting roles

Sue Cook's roles were limited and often drew on her established to lend to on-screen portrayals of professionals or participants in interactive formats. Her earliest notable acting credit came in the BBC children's adventure game show (1980), where she appeared as an explorer navigating a fictional alien world alongside other celebrities, blending scripted elements with game-show . This role showcased her ability to engage in light dramatic scenarios, transitioning briefly from her radio and early TV presenting work into performative entertainment. Cook also appeared as herself in the BBC miniseries The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1986). Cook's most prominent acting appearance was in the acclaimed miniseries (1985), directed by , in which she portrayed a TV interviewer conducting on-camera segments within the thriller's narrative about nuclear conspiracy and personal loss. Her performance as the added realistic procedural detail to the production, leveraging her real-world expertise in live to enhance the series' journalistic interludes.

Charitable work

Patronages

Sue Cook serves as an ambassador for The King's Trust and is a patron of the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, and the British Wireless for the Blind Fund.

Fundraising and advocacy

Sue Cook has maintained a long-term commitment to through her involvement with BBC Children in Need, co-presenting the annual appeal alongside for 13 consecutive years from 1982 to 1995. These live telethons featured entertainment segments, celebrity appearances, and direct appeals to viewers, significantly boosting public donations to support disadvantaged children across the . Her role helped elevate the event's profile, contributing to millions raised annually for various children's charities. In a 2021 interview, Cook reflected on her collaborations with , describing him as "wonderfully, delightfully unpredictable" and emphasizing how their partnership amplified awareness and encouraged widespread participation in the appeals. She continues to leverage her broadcasting experience for promotional efforts, using and appearances to highlight the impact of such on vulnerable . As an ambassador for The King's Trust, Cook actively advocates for employment initiatives, promoting programs that equip young people with essential skills, enterprise training, and job opportunities to overcome barriers to work. Her advocacy extends to children's health, where her patronage roles enable her to champion causes like support, fostering greater understanding and resource allocation for affected families.

Awards and recognition

Academic honors

In 1997, Sue Cook was awarded an honorary (D.Litt.) by the , her , in recognition of her contributions to . This honor highlighted her professional impact following her graduation with a BA Honours in from the same institution.

Personal life

Marriages and children

Sue Cook was twice divorced before marrying film director in 2004, with whom she resides in and has collaborated on projects. Her first marriage was to Brian Cook in 1971, ending in divorce in 1977. Her second marriage was to classical guitarist , father of her son Charlie Williams, born in the early 1980s. Following their divorce, Cook lived for 15 years with television producer Billy Macqueen, father of her daughter Megan Macqueen, born in the late 1980s. Cook balanced her demanding broadcasting career, including her role on throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with raising her young children during these transitional personal periods. By the mid-2010s, with both children in their twenties, she noted having fewer family ties, allowing greater focus on professional endeavors. Charlie Williams maintains a low-profile life, with no public details on his profession. His sister Megan Macqueen is a freelance television producer.

Family milestones

Cook's mother, Kathleen Thomas (born 1919), died in April 2025 at the age of 105. Her father, William Thomas, was a senior executive with the Commission on Industrial Relations.

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