Martin Townsend, Former Sunday Express Editor Dies Aged 65
Chiswick resident hailed as 'unparalleled scoop-getter'
Martin Townsend
October 20, 2025->
Martin Townsend, the former editor of the Sunday Express and a long-time Chiswick resident, has died aged 65 following an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Friday, 17 October.
Mr Townsend was a prominent figure in British journalism, known for his instinct for a story and his deep commitment to editorial integrity. He led the Sunday Express for 17 years, from 2001 to 2018, overseeing major exclusives including the first report of Prince Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle and the paper’s award-winning Crusade for Better Mental Health campaign.
Born in 1960, he began his career at Caravan magazine before becoming Fleet Street’s youngest columnist at age 25, writing for Today. He later held senior roles at The Mail on Sunday and OK! magazine before taking the helm at the Sunday Express. According to industry colleagues, his tenure was marked by bold editorial decisions and a commitment to public interest journalism, including efforts to secure the release of reporter Yvonne Ridley after her capture by the Taliban.
Mr Townsend lived in Chiswick for many years, where he was a familiar face in the community. Friends and colleagues recall his warmth, wit, and generosity, as well as his love for the area’s literary and cultural life. He was known to frequent local cafés and bookshops, and often spoke of Chiswick as a place that grounded him amid the pressures of Fleet Street.
Tributes have poured in from across the media industry. Camilla Tominey, a former colleague, described him as “a giant and a gentleman… a creative genius, a maverick editor, and an unparalleled scoop-getter”.
He is survived by his wife, journalist Jane O’Gorman, who said: “He fought a good fight. He fought every step of the way. He never gave up and did not know it was the end until the end”.
As well as his wife, he leaves behind his sons Benedict and Oliver and his daughter Cordelia.
Plans for a memorial service in Chiswick are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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