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We have received many e-mails, phone calls and letters regarding the news that Ed Stourton is to leave Today late next year when Justin Webb joins the programme.
It will come as no surprise to Today listeners that Ed has many loyal supporters. He has presented the programme with distinction for nearly 10 years.
But programmes like Today try to achieve a delicate balance between the experience and familiarity of presenters like Ed Stourton, and the need to evolve gradually over time.
The decision to replace a presenter is one of the most difficult we ever take. It demands, and receives, great consideration but we understand that it is never going to be universally welcomed. The best we can say, perhaps, is that we do not do these things lightly and that we act in what we think are the best long-term interests of the programme.
We will pass on all messages of support to Ed.
We are very sorry, of course, that Ed should have heard this news in the way that he did, and we have offered him our apologies for the way the announcement was handled. We had arrangements in place to meet Ed less than twenty four hours later to discuss our plans but, regrettably, someone involved in the process chose to leak the news to the Daily Mail.
Within BBC News, Ed is recognised as an outstanding journalist. The Director of News, Helen Boaden, and the Controller of Radio Four, Mark Damazer, have both made clear that, although Ed will not be presenting Today, they want, and expect, him to remain a part of their plans, on radio in particular, for many years to come.
Ceri Thomas
Editor, Today
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