The former newsman, who revealed the illness only in January this year, died last night in a Gold Coast hospital, friends have confirmed to Fairfax Media.

Channel Seven journalist Chris Reason, who worked with Ross at the station, tweeted on Wednesday morning that Ross had died.

A statement from Seven said: "The entire team at Seven News is deeply saddened by the death of our wonderful colleague, friend and mentor, Ian Ross.

"Roscoe - as he is known to everyone - delivered Sydney's Seven News for seven years before he retired in 2009.

"In a career spanning five decades, Roscoe was one of the most popular newsreaders in Australian television history – a perfect mix of on-road experience and on-camera charisma.

"More than that, he was respected, trusted, and with a warm personality viewers loved. What you saw on television was the man behind the scenes. He was loved by everyone in the newsroom.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Roscoe's partner Gray and his family."

The director of Seven News, Sydney, Chris Willis, paid tribute to Ross: "We all loved Roscoe. He was the consummate newsman and a wonderful human being. He had incredibly high professional standards and could be a tough task master. He led our news brilliantly in the time he was here.

"He was also great fun to work with. He was serious about his job, but didn't take himself too seriously and frequently entertained the newsroom with jokes at his own expense. We will all treasure our memories of Roscoe."

Earlier this year Ross, who had retired from the Seven network in 2009, told Fairfax Media he learnt of the cancer after a routine trip to the doctor.

By that stage it was already at stage four, he said, having metastasised to his liver. His oncologist had given him a prognosis of five months.

''While I agree with the diagnosis, I do not necessarily agree with the prognosis," he said at the time.

''I have decided that the only way to handle this friggin' nightmare is to remain as positive about it as I possibly can and to get back to leading as 'normal' a life as possible. Right now I feel healthy and well, I have no symptoms ... but I don't know how long that will last for.''

It is understood a funeral service for Ross will take place on the Gold Coast.

He is survived by his ex-wife, children and partner Gray Bolte.

SMH.COM.AU and AAP