BBC journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton has died at the age of 68 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The BBC confirmed his death, stating he passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, July 18.
Career Highlights
Stourton had a distinguished decades-long career across BBC television and radio. He hosted Radio 4's Today programme for nearly 10 years, and also presented the One O'Clock News, Any Questions, Radio 4's Sunday, and Panorama.
Jonathan Munro, interim CEO for BBC News and Current Affairs, paid tribute: "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. Many years later I was listening to his superb analysis of the new Pope for the BBC - another of his many areas of expertise. 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."
Early Career and Education
After studying English literature at Cambridge University, Stourton joined ITN in 1979. He became a founding member of Channel 4 News in 1982 and served as the programme's first Washington correspondent in 1986. He moved to the BBC in 1988, returned to ITN in 1990, and by 1993 was presenting the One O'Clock News. He also presented editions of Assignment, Panorama, and had his own Radio 4 phone-in programme, Call Ed Stourton.
Later Work and Personal Life
Stourton joined Radio 4's Today programme in 1999, presenting for nearly a decade. From 2009, he began presenting The World at One and The World This Weekend. In a 2023 memoir titled Confessions, he revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis. He is survived by his wife Fiona and their four children.
