Veteran broadcaster Edward Stourton dies aged 68

Veteran journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton has died at the age of 68. He passed away on Saturday, July 18, with his family present. Stourton was known for his role as a presenter of the BBC Radio 4 programme Sunday and was a frequent contributor to the Today programme, where he served as one of the main presenters for a decade. His diagnosis with prostate cancer was shared in his 2023 memoir, 'Confessions'.

Career Highlights

Stourton began his journalism career at ITN in 1979 and was a founding member of Channel 4 News in 1982. He served as the programme's first Washington correspondent before moving to the BBC in 1988 as its Paris correspondent. He later returned to ITN as Diplomatic Editor before rejoining the BBC in 1993 to present the One O'Clock News. His tenure on the Today programme began in 1999 and lasted nearly ten years. Stourton also presented The World at One and The World This Weekend from 2009. As a Roman Catholic, he hosted Radio 4's religious programme Sunday and explored the Catholic church in the BBC Two documentary series 'Absolute Truth'.

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Tributes have been paid by colleagues. Jonathan Munro, interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, described Stourton as "unflappable" and noted his ability to present multiple key programmes, including Today, BBC One's One O'Clock News, The World at One, and Sunday. Mohit Bakaya, controller of BBC Radio 4, stated that Stourton was an "outstanding broadcaster" who brought "intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland" to his work, making listeners feel they understood the world better.

Born in Nigeria in 1957, Stourton was raised in the UK and studied English literature at Cambridge University. He is survived by his wife, Fiona Stourton, and their four children.