TV presenter Dieuwertje Blok, who hosted the children’s show Sinterklaasjournaal for more than 20 years, has died at the age of 67.

Blok was treated for skin cancer a year ago, but announced in January that the disease had returned and she was terminally ill.

Her nose had to be amputated as part of her treatment, forcing her to step down as presenter of the daily TV show in the run-up to Sinterklaas (St Nicholas’ Eve) on December 5.

She had hosted the programme since 2001, calling it the best job in the Netherlands. During her tenure the show responded to the growing public debate about the blackface character Zwarte Piet, gradually introducing sooty-faced Piets from 2014.

Knighthood

Born in Nederhorst den Berg, Blok began her broadcasting career in 1980 and presented breakfast television show Ontbijt TV from 1990. She also hosted a radio show, NTR Podium, on the classical music station NPO Klassiek.

Last December she was made a knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau, one of the Netherlands’ highest honours, in recognition of her work for the Dutch refugee council VluchtelingenWerk, heart disease charity Hartstichting and the nature charity WWF.

Blok’s Jewish mother and grandparents went into hiding in Amsterdam during the Second World War. She gave talks in schools in the run-up to Remembrance Day on May 4 each year and in 2023 delivered the commemorative lecture in Dam Square.