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Veteran broadcaster and journalist Edward Stourton, whose distinguished career in television and radio spanned more than four decades, has died at the age of 68.
The BBC confirmed that Stourton died on Saturday surrounded by his family. He had been living with prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2014, later revealing that the disease had become incurable and had spread.
Despite his illness, Stourton continued broadcasting and working on documentaries until very recently.
Tributes have been paid from across the broadcasting industry, with former Today programme colleague James Naughtie describing him as a broadcaster of “warm intelligence and wit” and “one of the best colleagues”.
BBC Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya called Stourton an “absolutely outstanding broadcaster”, while the BBC’s interim director of news Jonathan Munro said it was “far too soon to lose Ed”.
Current Today editor Rebecca Keating described Stourton as the “Rolls Royce of broadcasting”, praising his “sharp mind and vast knowledge of the world”.
A career across ITN and the BBC
Born in Nigeria in 1957, where his father was working at the time, Stourton spent part of his childhood in Geneva before being educated at Ampleforth College. He later studied English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became President of the Cambridge Union.
His broadcasting career began at ITN, where he was part of the team that launched Channel 4 News. He later became the programme’s first Washington correspondent, covering the final years of the Reagan presidency.
Stourton joined the BBC in 1988 as Paris correspondent before returning to ITN as diplomatic editor. He later moved back to the BBC, where he presented the flagship One O’Clock News on BBC One.
Throughout his career, he worked across a wide range of BBC programmes including Panorama, Assignment, Correspondent and Radio 4’s Call Ed Stourton.
He also presented The Heaven and Earth Show and fronted documentaries including Absolute Truth, a BBC Two series exploring the Catholic Church.
The voice of Radio 4’s Today programme
Stourton became one of the main presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme in 1999, a role he held for almost a decade.
His experience as a foreign correspondent became a defining part of his broadcasting style, bringing authority and insight to major world events. He reported from conflict zones including Lebanon and Afghanistan and was among the first journalists to reach New York following the 9/11 attacks.
His departure from Today in 2008 became controversial after details were leaked to a newspaper before he had been officially informed. Despite the setback, he remained with the BBC and continued presenting major news programmes.
In later years, Stourton hosted Radio 4’s religious affairs programme Sunday, as well as regularly presenting The World at One and The World This Weekend.
Remembered as a broadcaster of knowledge and humanity
Away from daily news, Stourton was also an accomplished author. His books included John Paul II: Man of History, reflecting his Catholic faith, which played an important role throughout his life.
His final book, Made in America: the Dark History that Led to Donald Trump, was written to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
Paying tribute, James Naughtie said:
“His warm intelligence and wit were admired and enjoyed by generations with whom he worked. And as a friend, he was always a rock of support and kindness.”
Jonathan Munro said Stourton’s ability to present some of the BBC’s most important programmes was a rare achievement.
“Not many broadcasters can present Today, BBC One’s One O’Clock News, The World at One and Sunday – but he did. He leaves a huge gap.”
Mohit Bakaya added that Stourton brought “intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did”.
Edward Stourton is survived by his wife Fiona, a senior television producer, along with his two sons, daughter and step-daughter.
He leaves behind a legacy as one of British broadcasting’s most respected voices, remembered for his calm authority, deep knowledge and ability to make complex stories understandable for millions of listeners and viewers.
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