ITV News journalist Emily Morgan has died, the broadcaster has announced.
She was the channel’s health and science editor – playing a key role in its coverage of the COVID pandemic – and her career with the broadcaster spanned more than two decades.
She had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, and died on Friday night, surrounded by her family. She leaves behind two young daughters.
Andrew Dagnell, editor of ITV Network News, said the organisation was deeply saddened by the death of such a “remarkable colleague”.
“Her reporting was instrumental in exposing the immense pressure and strain that NHS workers were under, and she became a trusted voice for the public during an unprecedented time,” Mr Dagnell said.
“Emily’s passion for the role was evident in everything she did and her work was a constant reminder of why journalism matters. Her dedication to informing and educating our viewers will continue to inspire all those who were privileged to work alongside her.
“Our thoughts are with Emily’s family. Emily was proud to be a journalist, but she was even more proud of her family. She adored them. We are sending them our love and support at this unthinkably difficult time.
“Emily was an exceptional journalist, a devoted mother and wife, and a true trailblazer in our field. Her friendship, her professionalism and her enormous contribution to our industry and to the public conversation will not be forgotten.”
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Chris Ship, the channel’s royal editor, tweeted: “She was such a beautiful person and a dear friend.
“As health editor, Emily was fearless in reporting COVID to the nation in 2020.
“Talented, kind, full of humanity. She was 45.”
‘It isn’t easy reporting on deaths’
Morgan began her career as a producer at ITV and was based in Westminster for five years.
She had been working until just two months ago, with her last report – on cancer waiting times being at an all-time high – broadcast on 30 March.
She worked in a number of roles, including Wales and West of England correspondent, political correspondent, and health editor.
In 2021, Morgan reflected on the challenges covering the pandemic, saying: “It isn’t easy reporting on deaths, especially large numbers. What every death is not, is a statistic. Yet, with so many, the fear is each one gets added in with another and they become a blur of numbers.”
But, despite being a talented reporter, she said she wanted to be remembered not as a journalist, but as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend.
“They are the things that matter,” she said.
A ‘brilliant journalist’ and ‘wonderful woman’
After news of her death was announced, NHS England paid tribute to Ms Morgan.
“Everyone at NHS England deeply saddened to hear this terrible news,” the organisation tweeted.
“Emily was a brilliant journalist whose coverage of COVID in particular was exceptional. She will be hugely missed and our thoughts are with her colleagues, friends and, most of all, her family.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay added: “Her exemplary reporting throughout the COVID pandemic was a vital public service – helping to keep people safe. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”
