Edward Stourton, whose voice became a fixture across BBC Radio and television news, has died aged 68.
The veteran journalist and broadcaster died on Saturday 18 July after previously revealing he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Edward spent decades presenting BBC current affairs programmes, including nearly 10 years on BBC Radio 4’s Today. He also presented The World at One, The World This Weekend, Sunday, Any Questions, the One O’clock News and Panorama.
Born in Nigeria in 1957 and raised in the UK, Edward studied English literature at Cambridge University before joining ITN in 1979.
He became a founding member of Channel 4 News in 1982 and later served as its first Washington Correspondent. After joining the BBC as Paris Correspondent in 1988, he returned to ITN before moving back to the BBC to present the One O’clock News and later Today.
In his 2023 memoir, Confessions, Edward revealed he had been living with prostate cancer for almost a decade.
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.
“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.”
