Rod Liddle, the journalist and broadcaster, has died aged 66 after a short illness. He was known for his razor-sharp wit and uncompromising, unconventional attitude that took him places in his work where few other commentators dared tread.
Liddle edited the BBC's Today programme from 1998 to 2002, before resigning after writing incautiously about the Countryside Alliance. Ordered on impartiality grounds to choose between the BBC and his newspaper column, he chose the latter.
Career Highlights
While running Radio 4's flagship programme was one of the most prestigious jobs in British media, with seven million weekly listeners, it was a behind-the-scenes role. Leaving the BBC, Liddle's controversial and frequently hilarious opinions soon placed him centre stage, where he remained for the rest of his life.
He wrote weekly columns for The Spectator, The Sunday Times, and The Sun. Once describing himself as 'Blue Labour' in outlook, he became one of Britain's best-known right-wing commentators.
Controversies
Liddle shocked and entertained in equal measure. His views sometimes triggered accusations of misogyny and racism, but he defended his right to free speech and satire, surviving multiple attempts to cancel or deplatform him.
In December 2021, Durham University students staged a mass walkout after Liddle gave an after-dinner speech deemed offensive. In 2018, he caused outrage in Wales by writing that the Second Severn Crossing linked Wales with the "first world". In 2019, he faced criticism for a magazine article appearing to call for ballots to favour the Tories by being held on days universities were closed and Muslims forbidden from voting. He defended the piece as satire.
Documentaries and Broadcasting
Liddle made several documentaries, including Channel 4's Dispatches film The New Fundamentalists and The Trouble With Atheism. His 2005 documentary Immigration Is a Time Bomb drew complaints after BNP leader Nick Griffin was allowed to speak unchallenged, but Ofcom dismissed the complaints.
More recently, he presented a weekly show on Times Radio. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she had missed Liddle's column in recent weeks. "I don't have the words to express how sad this is for journalism, for his readers and most of all his friends and family," she said.
Personal Life
Liddle left his first wife, journalist Rachel Royce, after meeting Alicia Monckton on the reception desk at The Spectator. The pair married in 2008. He died at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on Sunday.
His children, Wilde and Tyler, from his first marriage, and Emmeline from his second, said in a statement: "We're all very saddened and shocked at the sudden passing of our wonderful father. He raised us much as you might imagine, to be inquisitive, brave and always humourous. Even in hospital in the last few weeks, he consistently held the room and never let the awful situation show. He has left a legacy that we are all incredibly proud of, he will always be our guide on how to live an extraordinary life."
Born in Sidcup, Kent, Liddle worked as a reporter on The South Wales Echo and Western Mail before becoming a research assistant and speechwriter for the Labour Party from 1983-1987. After returning to university as a mature student at the London School of Economics, he joined the BBC as a trainee producer, becoming editor of Today in 1998.
Tributes
John Humphrys, Today's lead presenter during Liddle's editorship, said: "Rod was wonderful to work with. We argued like hell – I can't remember how many times he sacked me or I resigned in anger. Rod brought life, fun, energy and compassion to Today. He had an understanding of what makes people tick. For a presenter there was just something quite magical about him. You never knew what you would end up with. He was a one-off."
Justin Webb, another long-standing presenter, added: "He was in many respects the complete opposite of the image that he liked to portray. He cared deeply about people and about civilised behaviour… but he also had a genuine hostility to authority that is the mark of a truly great journalist."
Ben Taylor, editor of The Sunday Times, said: "Rod Liddle had a wonderful way with words and used his unique talent to speak for the readers, highlighting the cant and absurdity that bedevils modern life. He was also supremely entertaining and for years his column was the first that many turned to every Sunday. We will miss him desperately."
