Edward Stourton obituary
Presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whose sacking caused outrage among his loyal listeners
For many listeners to Radio 4, the broadcaster and journalist Edward Stourton, who has died aged 68 of prostate cancer, epitomised all that they valued most about the BBC. His voice was authoritative, unflappable and unmistakably posh, even stately; his questioning in interviews courteous but incisive; and his range of knowledge and insight unimpeachable.
These were all reasons why when Stourton – always known as Ed – was unexpectedly effectively sacked from presenting the Today programme in 2008 that there was such a backlash from newspapers, especially of the right, and the programme’s devoted followers. This was caused not least by the corporation’s brusque and clumsy handling of the ending of his contract, about which he was informed while away from the office by a Daily Mail journalist ringing up to ask him whether it was true.
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