Edward Stourton death: BBC presenter dies aged 68
Broadcaster and journalist Edward Stourton has died aged 68, the BBC said.
Mr Stourton’s career spanned more than 40 years, including 10 years at Radio 4. Today program.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 but continued to work until recently.
He died surrounded by his family on Saturday, the BBC said.
Jonathan Munro, interim director general of BBC News and Current Affairs, said it was “too soon to lose Ed”.
Mr Munro worked as ITN’s producer when he was its diplomatic editor.
Mr Munro said the journalist “was unflappable then and remains unflappable”.
“Years later, I was listening to his brilliant analysis for the BBC of the new Pope, one of his many areas of expertise.
“Too many broadcasters can’t pitch TodayBBC One’s One O’Clock News, The World is One O’Clock And Sunday – but he did. “It leaves a huge void.”
Mohit Bakaya, controller of BBC Radio 4, said: “Ed was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster.
“He brought intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did.
“When Ed is behind the mic, whether it’s on or off, Sunday or you felt like you understood the world a little better thanks to the various news programs he regularly hosts on Radio 4. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Mr Stourton was born in Nigeria and was a founding member of the Channel 4 news team when it was founded in 1982.
He began his career as a screenwriter, and in addition to covering foreign news for the broadcaster, he also served as Washington correspondent, covering the final years of Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
He then joined the BBC in 1988 and returned to ITN two years later as diplomatic editor; He reported from around the world, from Baghdad during the Gulf War, from Bosnia during the siege of Sarajevo, and from Moscow in the final days of the Soviet Union.
He returned to the BBC in 1993 and One O’Clock News presented his own Radio 4 phone-in program for six years, Call Ed Stourtonbefore joining Today The program in 1999.
Mr Stourton led the flagship current affairs program for a decade. He later became a regular contributor.
Mr Stourton also worked as BBC Two’s world affairs correspondent. Panorama as well as a number of Radio 4 programmes. The World is Together, The World is This Weekend And Analysis.
In addition to his forty-year publishing career, he has written numerous books, including one published in 2013. Cruel Passage and its 2023 memory Confessions – announced that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost ten years ago.
His latest book Made in America (2025) explores US history and how it led to the era of Donald Trump. It was written to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mr Stourton is survived by his wife Fiona and their four children.
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