The gravelly voice that turned phrases like 'lunatic scumbags' and 'vicious morons' into television gold has been silenced forever.
Graham Bell, the straight-talking veteran police officer who became a household name as the host of Police Ten 7, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 78.
His family confirmed the news in a statement, who said he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones yesterday. For Australian viewers who tuned in religiously to catch his unvarnished take on crime across the Tasman, Bell's passing marks the end of an era when television personalities could speak their minds without a script or political correctness filter.
In this article
From railways to the thin blue line
Bell was born on 24 December 1946 and grew up in Frankton, New Zealand. After early employment on the railroads, and as a truck driver, he applied to join the police force in 1967, following his grandfather and a number of cousins into the profession.
That Christmas Eve baby would spend the next 33 years dedicating his life to law enforcement, serving as a police officer across the North Island of New Zealand for 33 years, retiring in 2001. During his time in the force, Bell rose to Detective Inspector in charge of criminal investigations in the Bay of Plenty.
'He had an incredible mind like that'
Bell's career wasn't just about climbing ranks—he was in the thick of New Zealand's most challenging cases. They were among the 19 murder cases he investigated throughout his career. One case that particularly affected him was deeply personal: leading investigations into several high-profile cases throughout the 1990s, including the murder of Beverley Bouma in 1998 and of police constable Murray Stretch a year later.
The loss of colleague Murray Stretch, beaten to death during a burglary investigation, showed Bell's humanity beneath his tough exterior. 'It adds a whole new dimension to something when you go to a murder, and the person that's lying there is known to you,' Bell said in 1999. 'You can't bring people back to life, but you can certainly make those that carry out criminal acts pay for them.'
Television stardom built on authenticity
After retiring from the force in 2001 with a Queen's Service Medal for his exemplary service, Bell could have quietly faded into retirement. Instead, he became the face of a television phenomenon that would captivate viewers on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
For 13 years, Bell was the presenter of Police Ten 7, a weekly NZ television programme aimed at helping solve serious crime and showcasing the work of the police. Police Ten 7 first hit TV screens in 2002. Bell retired from the police in 2001 but continued to serve the public through his work on Police Ten 7, which he hosted for more than a decade, until 2014.
Police Ten 7: The format that worked
Police Ten 7 was a weekly true-crime show that featured unsolved cases, CCTV footage, and appeals for public help.
Bell's role was to present the cases with commentary that was both informative and memorable.
The show aired for over 20 years and became one of New Zealand's most successful television exports to Australia, screening on Foxtel, Channel 7, and Channel 10.
What set Bell apart wasn't just his police experience—it was his completely unscripted delivery. Bell said his descriptors came naturally—they weren't scripted. His colourful vocabulary became legendary: His colourful descriptors included 'morons', 'scumbags', 'murderous thugs', 'mindless lowlifes' and 'gutless goons'. He once referred to an offender as 'a lunatic scumbag with a steak knife'.
Bell was known for his straight-talking and wry presenting style, for which he won a cult reputation, according to NZ On Screen. He said he was still often approached in the street by people shouting the likes of, 'Have you seen those mongrels yet?'.
A hit across the Tasman
While Police Ten 7 was a New Zealand production, it found a devoted following among Australian audiences. While it remained one of New Zealand's most popular television shows—and a successful export to Australia—it had been subject to critical media commentary, political heat and major academic research.
For many Australians, particularly those in the over-60 demographic, Bell's no-nonsense approach represented a refreshing change from sanitised television presentations. His authentic police perspective resonated with viewers who appreciated his direct communication style and obvious commitment to justice.
The show's success wasn't just entertainment value—it delivered results. Lemoto said of Bell: 'He was a larger-than-life personality and passionate about helping police to solve crimes. He was very successful on Police Ten 7 at getting the public to call in to steer investigations in the right direction.'
Graham Bell's investigative legacy
- 33 years in New Zealand Police (1967-2001)
- Rose from constable to Detective Inspector
- Led investigations into 19 murder cases
- Awarded Queen's Service Medal in 2001
- Hosted Police Ten 7 for 13 years (2002-2014)
- Show successfully exported to Australian television
The changing times
Bell's television career came to an end in 2014 when he was replaced by Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto. The show was given a new presenter in 2014, Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto, and a new name, but eventually pulled in 2023.
A review in 2021 concluded that the show's 'goodies-versus-baddies' format wasn't working anymore—and that Bell's 'provocative language' had been unhelpful. Bell himself had strong views about these changing attitudes. In 2023, Bell told Media Insider that he was sad but not surprised Ten 7 had been axed by TVNZ and said political figures should be doing more to help identify and solve causes of crime, rather than criticising a television show. 'Wokeness and political correctness have just killed it in the end,' Bell said.
Despite the criticism, Bell's impact on both policing and television remained undeniable. 'As a young police officer and fresh detective, Graham Bell was someone I certainly looked up to in terms of his passion for policing but also his drive to hold some of our worst offenders to account. 'He was a bit of a legend when it comes to policing in New Zealand and a real personality as well.'
A life well-lived
Beyond his public persona, Bell was a devoted family man. 'He leaves behind his devoted wife of 57 years, Joyce, his children David, Megan, and Chrissy, their partners Shar, Dobbo, and Morne, and his adored grandchildren Tom, Ruby, Scarlett, Ollie, Jack, and Bella,' the family statement read.
'Bell—a retired Detective Inspector—was an avuncular grouch who earnt the respect of the viewers,' Stuff TV reviewer Graeme Tuckett wrote in 2023. That description captures perfectly what made him so appealing—he was gruff but caring, tough but fair, direct but never cruel.
As news of Bell's death spread, tributes poured in from across both sides of the Tasman. 'RIP Graham Bell—the no-nonsense ex-cop and legendary 'Police Ten 7' host has signed off for the last time,' one Kiwi commented on Facebook. 'A straight shooter who called out 'gutless goons' and 'vicious morons' with unmatched flair, Graham helped catch hundreds and entertained thousands.'
They added: 'He's now patrolling the big beat in the sky—and you can bet he's still not tolerating any nonsense. Rest easy, Inspector. We've got the watch from here.'
Graham Bell represented an era when authenticity mattered more than polish, when experience trumped media training, and when calling a spade a spade wasn't controversial—it was just honest police work. For Australian viewers who welcomed him into their lounge rooms week after week, his passing marks the end of a unique television personality who never forgot where he came from or why he took up the badge in the first place.
What are your memories of watching Police Ten 7? Did Graham Bell's straight-talking style resonate with you, and do you think there's still a place for his type of no-nonsense television in today's media landscape?
Primary Source
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...tml?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
Graham Bell, Police Ten 7 host and veteran detective, dies
Cited text: Graham Bell, the straight-talking veteran police officer who became a household name as the host of Police Ten 7, has died following a battle with can...
Excerpt: Graham Bell, the straight-talking veteran police officer who became a household name as the host of Police Ten 7, has died following a battle with cancer.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/10/08/graham-bell-police-ten-7-host-and-veteran-detective-dies/
Graham Bell, Police Ten 7 host and veteran detective, dies
Cited text: His family confirmed the news in a statement, who said he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones yesterday.
Excerpt: His family confirmed the news in a statement, who said he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones yesterday.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/10/08/graham-bell-police-ten-7-host-and-veteran-detective-dies/
Graham Bell (police officer) - Wikipedia
Cited text: Bell was born on 24 December 1946 and grew up in Frankton, New Zealand.
Excerpt: Bell was born on 24 December 1946 and grew up in Frankton, New Zealand.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Bell_(police_officer)
Graham Bell (police officer) - Wikipedia
Cited text: Bell was born on 24 December 1946 and grew up in Frankton, New Zealand. After early employment on the railroads, and as a truck driver, he applied to ...
Excerpt: Bell was born on 24 December 1946 and grew up in Frankton, New Zealand.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Bell_(police_officer)
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies—NZ Herald
Cited text: During his time in the force, Bell rose to Detective Inspector in charge of criminal investigations in the Bay of Plenty.
Excerpt: During his time in the force, Bell rose to Detective Inspector in charge of criminal investigations in the Bay of Plenty.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polic...-graham-bell-dies/HYDTTAW25BFI7PERNLPEPLQBYY/
Graham Bell (police officer) - Wikipedia
Cited text: Bell served as a police officer across the North Island of New Zealand for 33 years, retiring in 2001.
Excerpt: serving as a police officer across the North Island of New Zealand for 33 years, retiring in 2001.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Bell_(police_officer)
Graham Bell (police officer) - Wikipedia
Cited text: They were among the 19 murder cases he investigated throughout his career.
Excerpt: They were among the 19 murder cases he investigated throughout his career.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Bell_(police_officer)
Graham Bell (police officer) - Wikipedia
Cited text: Before becoming a Detective Inspector, and leading investigations into several high-profile cases throughout the 1990s, including the murder of Beverl...
Excerpt: leading investigations into several high-profile cases throughout the 1990s, including the murder of Beverley Bouma in 1998 and of police constable Murray Stretch a year later.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Bell_(police_officer)
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies—NZ Herald
Cited text: Advertise with NZME. Detective Inspector Graham Bell talks to the Herald in one of his last interviews as he reaches retirement in 2001.
Excerpt: 'It adds a whole new dimension to something when you go to a murder, and the person that's lying there is known to you,' Bell said in 1999.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polic...-graham-bell-dies/HYDTTAW25BFI7PERNLPEPLQBYY/
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies—NZ Herald
Cited text: For 13 years, Bell was the presenter of Police Ten 7, a weekly NZ television programme aimed at helping solve serious crime and showcasing the work of...
Excerpt: For 13 years, Bell was the presenter of Police Ten 7, a weekly NZ television programme aimed at helping solve serious crime and showcasing the work of the police.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polic...-graham-bell-dies/HYDTTAW25BFI7PERNLPEPLQBYY/
Police Ten 7 host Graham Bell dies | Star News
Cited text: Police Ten 7 first hit TV screens in 2002. Bell retired from the police in 2001 but continued to serve the public through his work on Police Ten 7, wh...
Excerpt: For 13 years, Bell was the presenter of Police Ten 7, a weekly NZ television programme aimed at helping solve serious crime and showcasing the work of the police.
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-dies
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies
Cited text: Bell said his descriptors came naturally—they weren’t scripted.
Excerpt: Bell said his descriptors came naturally—they weren't scripted.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/police-ten-7-host-and-ex-detective-graham-bell-dies/
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies
Cited text: His colourful descriptors included “morons”, “scumbags”, “murderous thugs”, “mindless lowlifes” and “gutless goons”. He once referred to an offender a...
Excerpt: His colourful descriptors included 'morons', 'scumbags', 'murderous thugs', 'mindless lowlifes' and 'gutless goons'.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/police-ten-7-host-and-ex-detective-graham-bell-dies/
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies—NZ Herald
Cited text: Photo / Richard Robinson · Bell was known for his straight-talking and wry presenting style, for which he won a cult reputation, according to NZ On Sc...
Excerpt: Bell was known for his straight-talking and wry presenting style, for which he won a cult reputation, according to NZ On Screen.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polic...-graham-bell-dies/HYDTTAW25BFI7PERNLPEPLQBYY/
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies
Cited text: He said he was still often approached in the street by people shouting the likes of, “Have you seen those mongrels yet?”.
Excerpt: He said he was still often approached in the street by people shouting the likes of, 'Have you seen those mongrels yet?'.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/police-ten-7-host-and-ex-detective-graham-bell-dies/
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies—NZ Herald
Cited text: While it remained one of New Zealand’s most popular television shows—and a successful export to Australia—it had been subject to critical media co...
Excerpt: While it remained one of New Zealand's most popular television shows—and a successful export to Australia—it had been subject to critical media commentary, political heat and major academic research.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polic...-graham-bell-dies/HYDTTAW25BFI7PERNLPEPLQBYY/
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies
Cited text: While it remained one of New Zealand’s most popular television shows—and a successful export to Australia—it had been subject to critical media co...
Excerpt: While it remained one of New Zealand's most popular television shows—and a successful export to Australia—it had been subject to critical media commentary, political heat and major academic research.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/police-ten-7-host-and-ex-detective-graham-bell-dies/
Police Ten 7 host Graham Bell has died | RNZ
Cited text: ... Lemoto said of Bell: 'He was a larger-than-life personality and passionate about helping police to solve crimes. He was very successful on Police ...
Excerpt: Lemoto said of Bell: 'He was a larger-than-life personality and passionate about helping police to solve crimes.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/screens/tv/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-has-died
Police Ten 7 host Graham Bell has died | RNZ
Cited text: The show was given a new presenter in 2014, Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto, and a new name, but eventually pulled in 2023.
Excerpt: The show was given a new presenter in 2014, Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto, and a new name, but eventually pulled in 2023.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/screens/tv/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-has-died
Police Ten 7 host Graham Bell has died | RNZ
Cited text: A review in 2021 concluded that the show's 'goodies-versus-baddies' format wasn't working anymore—and that Bell's 'provocative language' had been un...
Excerpt: A review in 2021 concluded that the show's 'goodies-versus-baddies' format wasn't working anymore—and that Bell's 'provocative language' had been unhelpful.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/screens/tv/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-has-died
Police Ten 7 host and ex‑detective Graham Bell dies—NZ Herald
Cited text: Photo / Supplied · In 2023, Bell told Media Insider that he was sad but not surprised Ten 7 had been axed by TVNZ and said political figures should be...
Excerpt: In 2023, Bell told Media Insider that he was sad but not surprised Ten 7 had been axed by TVNZ and said political figures should be doing more to help identify and solve causes of crime, rather than criticising a television show.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/polic...-graham-bell-dies/HYDTTAW25BFI7PERNLPEPLQBYY/
Police Ten 7 host Graham Bell has died | RNZ
Cited text: 'As a young police officer and fresh detective, Graham Bell was someone I certainly looked up to in terms of his passion for policing but also his dri...
Excerpt: 'As a young police officer and fresh detective, Graham Bell was someone I certainly looked up to in terms of his passion for policing but also his drive to hold some of our worst offenders to account.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/screens/tv/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-has-died
Police Ten 7 host Graham Bell dies | Star News
Cited text: 'He leaves behind his devoted wife of 57 years, Joyce, his children David, Megan, and Chrissy, their partners Shar, Dobbo, and Morne, and his adored g...
Excerpt: 'He leaves behind his devoted wife of 57 years, Joyce, his children David, Megan, and Chrissy, their partners Shar, Dobbo, and Morne, and his adored grandchildren Tom, Ruby, Scarlett, Ollie, Jack, and Bella,' the family statement read.
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-dies
Veteran officer, TV host Graham Bell dies | Otago Daily Times Online News
Cited text: 'Bell—a retired Detective Inspector—was an avuncular grouch who earnt the respect of the viewers,' Stuff TV reviewer Graeme Tuckett wrote in 2023.
Excerpt: 'Bell—a retired Detective Inspector—was an avuncular grouch who earnt the respect of the viewers,' Stuff TV reviewer Graeme Tuckett wrote in 2023.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/veteran-officer-tv-host-graham-bell-dies-rnz
'Police Ten 7' host Graham Bell dead at 78 | rova
Cited text: 'RIP Graham Bell—the no-nonsense ex-cop and legendary 'Police Ten 7' host has signed off for the last time,' one Kiwi commented on Facebook. 'A stra...
Excerpt: 'RIP Graham Bell—the no-nonsense ex-cop and legendary 'Police Ten 7' host has signed off for the last time,' one Kiwi commented on Facebook.
https://www.rova.nz/articles/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-dead-at-78
'Police Ten 7' host Graham Bell dead at 78 | rova
Cited text: They added: 'He’s now patrolling the big beat in the sky—and you can bet he’s still not tolerating any nonsense. Rest easy, Inspector. We’ve got the...
Excerpt: They added: 'He's now patrolling the big beat in the sky—and you can bet he's still not tolerating any nonsense.
https://www.rova.nz/articles/police-ten-7-host-graham-bell-dead-at-78
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Condolences to his loved ones 
