Greek television network ANT1 has announced the death of veteran journalist and broadcaster Giorgos Papadakis, who passed away at the age of 74 after suffering a sudden heart attack on Sunday afternoon, January 4.

The announcement was made during the network’s main evening news bulletin, where ANT1 paid tribute to a figure widely regarded as the patriarch of Greek morning television. According to the statement, Papadakis collapsed while in the Kolonaki district of Athens and was rushed to Laiko Hospital, where doctors made intensive efforts for 45 minutes to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

Born in Chalandri on February 4, 1951, Papadakis built a distinguished career spanning decades in both television and print journalism. He first appeared on Greek television in the 1980s on the state broadcaster’s program Treis ston Aera (Three on the Air).

From 1992 until 2025, Papadakis became a household name through ANT1’s flagship morning news program Good Morning Greece, the first daily morning current affairs show in Greek television history. He stepped down from hosting duties on July 4 last year in an emotional on-air farewell and subsequently continued contributing as a commentator on ANT1’s central news bulletin.

Announcing his passing, ANT1 news anchor Giorgos Kouros said the network was plunged into mourning following the sudden loss of a journalist who shaped the channel’s morning programming for 33 years.

“All of us at ANT1 express our deepest condolences to the family of Giorgos Papadakis,” Kouros said.

Papadakis’s death marks the end of an era for Greek television journalism, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, public figures and viewers across the country.