David Frost has died at the age of 74. The veteran British broadcaster and writer — best known for his unflinching 1977 interview with President Richard Nixon — died of a suspected heart attack on board of a cruise ship, his family tells BBC.
"His family are devastated and ask for privacy at this difficult time. A family funeral will be held in the near future and details of a memorial service will be announced in due course," a statement read.
British Prime Minister David Cameron also sent his condolences. "My heart goes out to David Frost‘s family," he tweeted on Sunday, Sept. 1. "He could be – and certainly was with me – both a friend and a fearsome interviewer."
The legendary journalist — known for his "Hello, good evening and welcome" signature introduction on broadcasts — was giving a speech aboard the Queen Elizabeth Saturday night, his family said, the same day the ship left for a 10-day cruise in the Mediterranean.
Born in Kent, Frost attended Cambridge University, and later worked for the BBC program That Was The Week from 1962 to 1963. In his epic TV interview with former President Richard Nixon in 1977, Frost grilled Nixon on Watergate after he resigned from office in 12 interviews that taped for two hours a day. His interviews with Nixon were later used as the basis of the award-winning play Frost/Nixon in 2006. In an acclaimed 2008 film based on the drama, actor Michael Sheen portrayed Frost in the film as Frank Langella played the role of Nixon.
