The Sunday Times and Sun columnist Rod Liddle has died aged 66 after a short illness, his family has announced.
The veteran journalist worked in the media industry for decades, where he started his career at the South Wales Echo. During his extensive career, he wrote for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Spectator and The Sun and hosted his own Times Radio show.
Liddle died at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on Sunday evening. His three children, Wilder, Tyler and Emmy, issued a statement via News UK expressing their sadness at the loss of their father.
“We’re all very saddened and shocked at the sudden passing of our wonderful father. He raised us much as you might imagine, to be inquisitive, brave and always humorous,” they said. “Even in hospital in the last few weeks, he consistently held the room and never let the awful situation show.
“He has left a legacy that we are all incredibly proud of; he will always be our guide on how to live an extraordinary life.”
Liddle, a former editor of BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme, courted controversy over the course of his career, becoming the first journalist to have an online blog censured by the press watchdog.
In 2010, a complaint was upheld by the Press Complaints Commission after the writer and columnist claimed on The Spectator website that the “overwhelming majority” of violent crime in London was carried out by young Afro-Caribbean men.
While he was editor of Today, Liddle hired Andrew Gilligan, the BBC journalist whose 2003 report claimed the UK government “sexed up” its dossier on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. Liddle had left the BBC before Gilligan’s controversial report was broadcast.
He subsequently became a vocal critic of Lord Hutton’s report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, which cleared the government of exaggerating the case for war in Iraq.
Liddle also made headlines for his colourful private life, when he left his partner of 11 years, Rachel Royce, with whom he had two children, for his 23-year-old mistress.
The estranged couple waged a public war of words over his affair with Alicia Munckton, a former receptionist at The Spectator magazine.
Liddle went on to present a programme about infidelity, arguing that men are genetically pre-programmed to be unfaithful.
In his time at The Spectator, Liddle became known for his controversial views, which sparked multiple accusations of misogyny and racism. The magazine was prosecuted in 2012 for breaching a court order over an article written by Liddle during the trial of Stephen Lawrence’s killers, claiming the two defendants would not get a fair trial.
The magazine paid a £3,000 fine, plus £2,000 in compensation after pleading guilty to breaching a court order during the case.
In 2019, Liddle used his column to suggest planning elections for a time when Muslims cannot vote. He had previously used the same column to apparently mock Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who spoke out about a previous abusive relationship she had while discussing domestic abuse legislation.
Ms Duffield paid tribute to Liddle in a post on X which read: “We just lost someone I would never in a million years have been expected to be friends with, or probably even to have made peace with.
“A larger than life ‘Marmite’ character, controversial, sometimes infuriating, but terribly witty, sharp and fun.
“And capable of extreme kindness, empathy and charm, especially in private. Gone far too soon. Desperately sad news.”
Extremely sad news that Rod Liddle is no longer with us.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) August 3, 2026
Rod was one of the most prolific columnists Westminster has ever seen.
He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/DdNaIVLdt5
In 2015, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) upheld a complaint from Trans Media Watch that Liddle had been discriminatory towards Emily Brothers, a blind and transgender Labour candidate in the 2015 general election.
Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage said the news of Liddle’s death was “extremely sad news”.
In a post on X, which included Mr Farage speaking to a group including Liddle, he said: “Extremely sad news that Rod Liddle is no longer with us. Rod was one of the most prolific columnists Westminster has ever seen. He will be missed.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch echoed Farage’s sentiments and called Liddle’s death “heartbreaking”.
She said: “Just heartbreaking to hear the news about Rod Liddle. I don’t have the words to express how sad this is. For journalism, for his readers and most of all his friends and family.
“Had missed his column and hearing his voice on the radio. Thought he was on a break. Rest in peace, Rod. You will be very much missed.”
Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News UK, said: “Everyone at News UK is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Rod Liddle. Rod was an inimitable journalistic force – brilliant, provocative and immensely talented – whose sharp wit and uncompromising voice graced our pages and airwaves for decades.
“Whether writing for The Sunday Times and The Sun or broadcasting on Times Radio, he challenged conventional thinking and left an indelible mark on British journalism.
“Rod will be greatly missed by all his friends and colleagues at News, as well as by his many readers, listeners and viewers. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with his family and loved ones.”
Just heartbreaking to hear the news about Rod Liddle.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) August 3, 2026
I don’t have the words to express how sad this is. For journalism, for his readers and most of all his friends and family. Had missed his column and hearing his voice on the radio. Thought he was on a break.
Rest in peace,…
Ben Taylor, editor of The Sunday Times, said: “Rod Liddle had a wonderful way with words and used his unique talent to speak for the readers, highlighting the cant and absurdity that bedevils modern life. He was also supremely entertaining and for years his column was the first that many turned to every Sunday. We will miss him desperately.”
Victoria Newton, editor-in-chief of The Sun, said: “Rod was a brilliant, fearless columnist who was much loved by all at The Sun.
“A champion of press freedom, no topic was off-limits, and his writing – as funny as it was excoriating – was simply exceptional.
“A terrific observer of the frailties of our political class, he will be remembered for his razor-sharp wit and for his huge intellect.
“But on The Sun floor he will also be remembered for his warmth and humour and for the belly laughs we had at his wildly entertaining lunches and dinners where he would hold court.
“He will be hugely missed by The Sun’s staff and by his many, many loyal readers.”
Tim Levell, programme director of Times Radio, said: “Rod burst out of the speakers when he started his show on Times Radio. Listeners already knew about his wit and his proudly anti-conventional views.
“But his wide learning, dedication and comedic timing were a delight and surprise to many. His show brightened Saturday mornings enormously and he will be greatly missed.”
I knew Rod Liddle off and on since we were kids on the Today Programme in the early 80s. He was brilliant, he was kind. He was so so funny. He will be massively missed.
— justin webb (@JustinOnWeb) August 3, 2026
John Humphrys, Today presenter during Liddle’s editorship, told The i: “Rod was wonderful to work with. We argued like hell – I can’t remember how many times he sacked me or I resigned in anger.
“Rod brought life, fun, energy and compassion to Today. He had an understanding of what makes people tick. For a presenter, there was just something quite magical about him. You never knew what you would end up with. He was a one-off.”
Humphrys, who remained friends with Liddle after the editor left the BBC, added that he was one of the “greatest columnists I was ever privileged to read”, calling him “brilliantly funny”.
He added: “He tried to conceal it, but he was also very wise and thoughtful, a very kind and decent man. He hadn’t had an easy life, but he was blessed with an extraordinary talent. We can’t replace him.”
Justin Webb, the long-standing Today presenter, added: “He was in many respects the complete opposite of the image that he liked to portray. He cared deeply about people and about civilised behaviour.
“He was obviously enormously funny and enormously talented, but he never let that destroy his relationships with the people he grew up with and who knew him best. He was responsible for quite a lot of mad stuff on Today, but he also had a genuine hostility to authority that is the mark of a truly great journalist.”
Former editor of The Sun, Kelvin MacKenzie, was also among those paying tribute to Liddle, calling him “a free spirit in a controlled world”.
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