Rae Stewart, a former journalist who previously worked for organisations including , ITN and STV, has.
The news was announced on Twitter by broadcaster Stephen Jardine, who expressed his sadness over his loss and his condolences for his late best friend’s loved ones.
‘My best friend Rae Stewart has died after an illness. He was just 56,’ he wrote in his post.
‘Rae was a proud son of Tain and a brilliant journalist, author, husband, father and friend. All my thoughts today are with him and his beloved family.’
STV News editor Nichola Kane shared: ‘Terrible, terrible news which has caused much sadness at STV today.
‘Loved working with Rae. Always professional but never took himself too seriously. Lots of fun and an absolute gentleman. Oh and THAT voice. Much love to @StephenJardine and all Rae’s loved ones.’
Author and columnist Mike Edwards tweeted: ‘Desperately sad to learn of the passing of Rae Stewart – a friend, colleague and fellow Highlander. A cracking lad taken far too soon.’
Journalist Carolyn Quinn also penned: ‘Taken far too soon. Unforgettable Rae Stewart. Wonderful husband, father and friend.’
Stewart worked as a reporter for more than two decades, with his work taking him from STV, the Scottish free-to-air public broadcast television channel, to GMTV.
He later became a communications consultant, working across fields including government and businesses.
He worked as the head of communciations for the Iraq Inquiry and was the press secretary to Nick Clegg when the Lib Dem politician was deputy prime minister.
In 2020, he set up Ashburn Fleming communcations consultancy as the firm’s managing director, before taking an early retirement two years later due to ‘ill-health’, he wrote on LinkedIn.
Stewart’s novel the Vibe came out in 2017, while his most recent written work, Smoke on the Water, was published in March this year.
