BBC broadcaster Edward Stourton dies aged 68 after cancer battle

Edward StourtonBBCRadio 4Today programmeJames NaughtieMohit BakayaJonathan MunroITN

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Edward Stourton, the veteran BBC broadcaster and former Today programme presenter, has died at the age of 68. He passed away on Saturday surrounded by his family after a long battle with prostate cancer, first diagnosed in 2014 Source: BBC. The BBC announced his death in a statement.

Stourton's career spanned more than 40 years, including a decade on Radio 4's Today programme. He also presented BBC One's One O'Clock News, The World at One, and Sunday on Radio 4 Source: The Guardian.

Tributes highlighted his intelligence and warmth. James Naughtie, his former Today co-host, praised his "warm intelligence and wit" Source: BBC. Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya described him as an "absolutely outstanding broadcaster" who helped audiences understand the world better Source: BBC, The Guardian. Jonathan Munro, interim chief of BBC News, noted his unflappability and versatility, calling his loss "far too soon" Source: The Guardian.

In his 2023 memoir Confessions, Stourton revealed his cancer diagnosis and later that it had become incurable. He continued to work until very recently Source: BBC.

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BBC↗

“The presenter's friend and former Today co-host James Naughtie praised Stourton's "warm intelligence and wit", adding he was "one of the best colleagues".”

BBC↗

“Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya described Stourton as an "absolutely outstanding broadcaster".”

The Guardian↗

“Jonathan Munro, the interim chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, paid tribute to Stourton, saying: "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."”

BBC↗

“In his 2023 memoir Confessions, Stourton revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer nearly a decade earlier. He had treatment but was later told it had become incurable and spread.”