BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent announced the death of journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton live on air during Monday's show (July 20). Stourton died at the age of 68 after a 10-year battle with prostate cancer.
Career Highlights
Stourton joined ITN in 1979 and became a founding member of Channel 4 News three years later. In 1988, he joined the BBC as its Paris Correspondent before returning to ITN in 1990 as Diplomatic Editor. He later presented the BBC's One O'Clock News and, from 2009, The World at One and The World This Weekend on Radio 4.
Nugent said on air: "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."
Tributes Pour In
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. 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."
Mohit Bakaya, controller of BBC Radio 4, added: "Ed was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster. He brought intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did. When Ed was behind the mic, whether on Sunday or the various news programmes he regularly presented for Radio 4, you felt you understood the world that little bit better. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."
BBC's Hannah Barnes said: "Deeply saddened to hear that Edward Stourton has died. I had the privilege of making several programmes for Radio 4 with Ed. He had an astonishing intellect and was a wonderful writer. He was also witty and extremely kind. My thoughts are with his family."
