BBC broadcaster and journalist Edward Stourton has died at the age of 68, the BBC confirmed on Monday. The veteran Radio 4 presenter, known for flagship programmes including Today, World At One and Sunday, died on July 18 surrounded by his family, having previously disclosed a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Tributes from BBC colleagues
Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive of BBC News and current affairs, paid tribute: "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. 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, added: "Ed was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster. He brought intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did. 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."
Career spanning four decades
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Stourton was among the founding members of the Channel 4 news team in 1982. He began as a scriptwriter, later covering international news and serving as Washington correspondent during the final years of the Reagan administration. He joined the BBC in 1988, moved to ITN as diplomatic editor in 1990, reporting from Baghdad during the Gulf War, Sarajevo during the Bosnian siege, and Moscow as the Soviet Union collapsed. He returned to the BBC in 1993, anchoring the One O'Clock News for six years and hosting his own Radio 4 phone-in show, Call Ed Stourton, before joining the Today programme in 1999.
Stourton presented Today for a decade and remained a regular contributor. He also worked as correspondent for BBC Two's world affairs strand, presented editions of Panorama, and hosted The World At One, The World This Weekend and Analysis on Radio 4.
Author and personal life
Alongside broadcasting, Stourton authored several books, including Cruel Crossing (2013) and his 2023 memoir Confessions, where he revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis from 2014. His most recent book, Made In America (2025), examines American history leading to the era of Donald Trump. Stourton is survived by his wife Fiona and four children.
