Rod Liddle, the newspaper columnist and broadcaster who wrote for several national titles and presented programmes on radio, has died aged 66 after a short illness. He passed away at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on Sunday evening, his family confirmed.
Career and recent roles
Liddle was a familiar byline and broadcast voice across UK media. He was a columnist for The Sun and The Sunday Times, contributed a weekly piece to The Spectator and presented on Times Radio. Earlier in his career he served as editor of the BBC Radio 4 flagship Today programme.
| Role | Publication / Station |
|---|---|
| Columnist | The Sun; The Sunday Times; The Spectator |
| Broadcaster / Presenter | Times Radio; BBC Radio 4 (former Today editor) |
Family and tributes
Liddle's children — Wilder, Tyler and Emmy — described him as the guide to “how to live an extraordinary life”, and said they were “very saddened and shocked” by his sudden passing. Colleagues and industry figures paid immediate tribute to his work and public presence.
"an inimitable journalistic force."
Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News UK, praised his impact on British journalism, while editors at national papers highlighted his blend of entertainment and provocation. Ben Taylor, editor of The Sunday Times, said Liddle had a distinctive way with words that many readers turned to; Victoria Newton, editor-in-chief of The Sun, remembered his sharp wit and his warmth on the paper’s floor.
Public profile and legacy
Across a long career Liddle became known for forthright commentary that frequently challenged public figures and conventional viewpoints. That approach won him a loyal readership and recurring attention from critics. Those reactions — both praise and controversy — were a consistent element of his public persona.
As the news of his death circulated, staff at titles where he worked and broadcasters who collaborated with him signalled the loss of a prominent media figure. His family said his legacy was one they were proud of and that he would remain a guide to them.
What happens next
- Further statements are expected from media organisations where he worked.
- Details about funeral arrangements and any public tributes will be confirmed by the family in due course.
- News outlets that published his columns will likely run obituaries and retrospectives reflecting on his career.
The outpouring of comment from colleagues and media executives underlines Liddle's prominence within the national press and broadcasting. His death closes a chapter on a high-profile and often divisive presence in British public life.
