Edward Stourton, BBC broadcaster and journalist, dies aged 68

"Ed was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster," said Mohit Bakaya, controller of BBC Radio 4, in a tribute.

Edward Stourton looking at the camera.

Cambridge Jones / Getty images

Published: Monday, 20 July 2026 at 10:30 am

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Broadcaster and journalist Edward Stourton has died at the age of 68, it has been confirmed.

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The presenter, who was best known for helming current affairs programmes including BBC Radio 4’s Today, died on Saturday surrounded by his family after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, the BBC announced in a statement.

Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive 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."

He continued: "Many years later, I was listening to his superb analysis of the new Pope for the BBC – another of his many areas of expertise.

"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, said: "Ed was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster. He brought intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did.

Edward Stourton during the Today programme on Radio 4.

Edward Stourton during a broadcast of Today. Jeff Overs / Getty Images

"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."

Stourton joined ITN from university in 1979, where he helped launch Channel 4 News in 1982 and became the programme's first Washington correspondent.

He went on to join the BBC in 1988, and had a two-year stint as BBC’s Paris correspondent, before returning to ITN as diplomatic editor, reporting from around the world - including Baghdad during the Gulf War and Bosnia during the siege of Sarajevo.

He returned to the BBC in 1993 and fronted the One O'Clock News for six years. He also presented his own Radio 4 phone-in programme, Call Ed Stourton.

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He joined the Today programme in 1999, fronting it for a decade, and later became a regular contributor.

He also presented editions of Panorama as well as a series of Radio 4 programmes including The World At One, The World This Weekend, and its religious and ethical current affairs series, Sunday.

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He is survived by his wife Fiona and his four children.

Authors

RadioTimes.com senior trends writer Molly Moss. She is sitting outside wearing a black top, holding a white teacup with a smily face on it to her mouth

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.

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