Rod Liddle, the newspaper columnist and broadcaster, has died aged 66 after a short illness. He died at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on Sunday evening.
Liddle was a columnist for the Sun and the Sunday Times, and also wrote a weekly column in the Spectator. He presented a show on Times Radio and was a former editor of BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme.
Tributes from family and colleagues
His children, Wilder, Tyler and Emmy, paid tribute to their father in a statement. They said: "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. 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."
Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News UK, described Liddle as "an inimitable journalistic force – brilliant, provocative and immensely talented – whose sharp wit and uncompromising voice graced our pages and airwaves for decades."
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."
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."
