There’s something more poignant about the death of Ed Stourton, which was announced today, than the passing of a decent man. He was that of course, but what I’ll miss especially is the silencing of a mellifluous broadcasting voice, that of an educated and civilised Englishman.

Stourton, who was 68, was famously cut by the bigwigs of the BBC’s Today programme in 2008

Stourton, who was 68, was famously cut by the bigwigs of the BBC’s Today programme in 2008

Stourton, who was 68, was famously cut by the bigwigs of the BBC’s Today programme in 2008, making space for more women, more regional accents, and the less posh, after ten years in the programme. But he was really good at the job. He cut to the chase; he ignored the superficialities. He was genial but merciless in identifying the main point at issue and pursuing it. He was intelligent, and without being anything........

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