Sally Nugent, presenter of BBC Breakfast, announced the death of veteran BBC journalist Edward Stourton during Monday's programme (July 20). Stourton died at the age of 68 after a decade-long battle with prostate cancer.
A Storied Career in Journalism
Stourton began his career at ITN in 1979 and became a founding member of Channel 4 News in 1982. In 1988, he joined the BBC as its Paris Correspondent before returning to ITN two years later as Diplomatic Editor. He later presented the One O'Clock News and, from 2009, hosted The World at One and The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4.
Tributes from Colleagues
Jonathan Munro, Interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: "It's far too soon to lose Ed. I worked as his producer when he was ITN's Diplomatic Editor - unflappable then and ever after." He added: "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, controller of BBC Radio 4, described Stourton as "an absolutely outstanding broadcaster" who "brought intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did." Hannah Barnes, a BBC colleague, said: "He had an astonishing intellect and was a wonderful writer. He was also witty and extremely kind."
On-Air Tribute
On BBC Breakfast, Nugent said: "The BBC journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton has died at the age of 68. In a career spanning decades, he presented shows including The One O'Clock News, Panorama and a range of programmes across BBC Radio 4. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago."
