03/08/2026
From the Spectator ©️The Spectator 2026
Rod Liddle, The Spectator’s associate editor, has died at the age of 66.
Rod, who was also a columnist for the Sunday Times and Sun, died at the James Cook University hospital in Middlesbrough yesterday evening, following a short illness.
His children, Wilder, Tyler and Emmy, said in a statement: ‘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 humourous. 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.’
Michael Gove, The Spectator’s editor, said:
Rod Liddle was a journalist of genius. In the tradition of Swift, Cobbett and Orwell, he was a satirist who found society’s most sensitive spots and made merciless fun of our follies. He was always fearless, could be achingly funny and while he had an adamantine core of principle he could also surprise. Because he was original – he thought for himself and never wanted anyone’s approval – he was special and brave.
In person, Rod was kind and gentle. He was an indulgent boss and brilliantly creative editor at the BBC and an always steadfast and generous colleague. He had a deep love of England, of its culture and in particular the common sense of its working class. He was also a master of the written word. He was very much loved by those who knew him. And no words we can summon can capture our loss.
Rod first began writing regularly for The Spectator in October 2002, following his departure as editor of the Today programme. His first column for the magazine, entitled ‘Thought for the Day’, a nod to his previous role, was later rebranded as ‘Liddle Britain’. In the 24 years that followed, he has shocked, delighted and entertained The Spectator’s readers with columns and reviews that have lampooned and satirised the great and not-so-good.
In addition to his writing, Rod was a regular contributor to The Spectator’s podcasts, broadcasts and events. On YouTube, his interviews on politics, the royal family and the media have regularly pulled in hundreds of thousands of viewers. And in 2018, he became one of the few journalists capable of selling out the 2,300-capacity London Palladium as part of a Spectator in-conversation event – a sign of his enduring popularity with our readers.
