Farewell, Cocksy
John Cocks
1966 – 2019
Fans of TV builder and renovator John “Cocksy” Cocks have remembered him fondly for his goodnatured banter and can-do attitude.
The much-loved television star died on Wednesday. He had been battling kidney cancer since being diagnosed on Anzac Day, 2016.
Known as Cocksy, the 52-year-old appeared in several do-it-yourself television series starting in the late 1990s.
He starred in April’s Angels — alongside former Silver Fern April Ieremia — My House My Castle, Celebrity Treasure Island and Cocksy’s Day Off.
News of his death came as a shock to his former employer, TVNZ.
As a practical Kiwi bloke, he was delightful to watch on the tele. Taken so young. Linnie Jones
In a statement provided to the Herald, the network paid tribute to a personality who was loved by colleagues and just as popular with viewers.
“John ‘Cocksy’ Cocks appeared in some of TVNZ’s biggest shows.
“He was loved by viewers who appreciated his can-do attitude, his honesty and his warmth.
“Our deepest sympathies are with John’s family and friends.”
In March 2017, the Herald on
Sunday revealed the devoted father of three was battling kidney cancer and had been given the news that he had three years to live.
The cancer was initially in his kidneys before spreading to his lungs and spine.
Cocks made headlines after revealing he was taking the controversial water-based Te Kiri Gold cancer treatment.
Independent tests commissioned by the Herald at the time revealed the product did not meet the Government’s safe drinking guidelines.
However, that did not deter the reality TV star, who said: “I feel a million bucks. [I have] so much more energy.”
After his diagnosis, Cocksy started ticking off a bucket list — buying a new surfboard, building his dream home in Tairua, taking surfing trips to the islands and marrying his partner.
Cocks, dad to Georgia, Sophie and Ella, married partner Dana Coote on Tairua Beach in June 2017.
He said at the time: “The problem with a shortened life span, you think: ‘What are the important things you should do’? For me and Dana, it was to get married.”
Broadcaster Melanie Homer, who co-presented TV series My Dream
Room: Kids Edition a few years ago, called her former colleague “an absolute legend”.
In a tribute on her Instagram page, she said: “Hours of laughs working together on Dream Room: Kids Edition.
“Every now and again, over the years, my phone would ping with a random rant or joke from Cocksy. I’ll miss that. One of the good guys — RIP.”
Kiwis paid online tributes to the man some had grown up watching on television.
Linnie Jones wrote on Facebook: “As a practical Kiwi bloke, he was delightful to watch on the tele. Taken so young.”
Sai Maka said: “Cocksy — always full of humour. Cheers for the laughs and always being optimistic no matter what you did on TV, lad.”