Edward Stourton, a distinguished broadcaster and journalist whose career spanned over four decades, has died at the age of 68. His death was announced by the BBC on Saturday. Stourton was a familiar voice to many, having spent a decade presenting BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme and was also a founding member of Channel 4 News.
Stourton had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. In his memoir, published in 2023, he revealed that while he had undergone treatment, the cancer had become incurable and spread. Despite his illness, Stourton continued to work until very recently.
Colleagues remembered Stourton for his professional qualities and personal warmth. James Naughtie, a former co-host on the Today programme, praised Stourton's "warm intelligence and wit," describing him as "one of the best colleagues." Evan Davis, another former presenter of the show, highlighted Stourton's significance, stating he was "a very important figure for all of us on the daily news programmes on Radio 4." Davis added, "All substance, minimum ego, deeply knowledgeable, totally reliable. And he was one of the nicest of colleagues as well. He'll be missed."
Mishal Husain recalled Stourton as "a true gentleman and a broadcaster of immense capacity and intellect."