Who was Emily Morgan? Life of ITV health editor who covered pandemic

Who was Emily Morgan? Life of ITV health and science editor who covered Covid pandemic

Tributes to ITV News’ Emily Morgan poured in after she died aged 45 following a battle with lung cancer.

News anchor Tom Bradby highlighted her dedication and professionalism in a touching tribute to his former colleague.

Morgan spent 23 years at ITN, beginning as a producer and ending as the broadcaster’s health and science editor.

Many viewers will remember her regular coverage from the frontline during the Covid pandemic.

She leaves behind her husband and two young daughters. 

Emily Morgan spent 23 years at ITN, beginning as a producer, and ending as the channel’s health and science editor

‘Funny, engaging, kind, compassionate’: Morgan leaves behind her husband and two young daughters

After starting behind the camera as a producer, Morgan covered politics, health, and international affairs in her time as a reporter

Early career 

After graduating, Morgan began her life at ITV as a producer, a role she undertook for five years while based in Westminster.

She then moved in front of the camera as a reporter, occupying roles including political correspondent and Wales and West of England correspondent.

This included being sent to Canada to report on how they cut the deficit, with now-anchor Tom Bradby.

In his moving televised tribute Bradby recalled how he learned of her humour afterwards, as she referred to the visit in front of ITV’s senior management as ‘our holiday in Canada’.

ITN tweeted, in their announcement of her death: ‘We are devastated at the passing of our remarkable colleague Emily Morgan.

‘Emily was a hugely talented journalist and a much-loved friend and mentor to so many here. She will be greatly missed.’

Richard Frediani, Morgan’s former colleague at ITV News and now editor of BBC Breakfast, said: ‘Brilliant. Talented. Intelligent. Dedicated. Fearless.

‘A first class journalist who will be missed by her family and many friends.’

Director of Journalism and Deputy CEO of BBC News Jonathan Munro tweeted: ‘The death of Emily Morgan deprives us all of an intelligent, probing, empathetic journalist. 

‘An explainer and an analyst. A real talent. Hardly comparable.’ 

ITN tweeted, in their announcement of her death: ‘We are devastated at the passing of our remarkable colleague Emily Morgan’

Health and science editor

Morgan ultimately landed the role of health and science editor, most notably reporting on the Covid pandemic.

Speaking about her role covering the crisis from the frontline, Morgan said: ‘We had a duty to do that as journalists; to report first hand, on the ground.

‘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.’

Geraint Vincent, who worked with Morgan at ITV, fought off tears as he said on-air: ‘At 45 years old, she was at the very top of her game, as anyone who followed her peerless reporting of the Covid pandemic will remember well. 

ITV News’ royal editor Chris Ship also paid tribute to Morgan’s pandemic coverage.

He said: ‘As health editor, Emily was fearless in reporting Covid to the nation in 2020.

‘Talented, kind, full of humanity. We will all miss her in the office. It was an honour to have known Emily.’

In her last TV appearance, Morgan was reporting on NHS patients having to turn to private healthcare to get treatment.

The report aired on March 30 2023. 

ITV News’ royal editor Chris Ship said: ‘As health editor, Emily was fearless in reporting Covid to the nation in 2020. Talented, kind, full of humanity. We will all miss her in the office. It was an honour to have known Emily’

While not discussing her family life in public, Morgan has been consistently recalled as a devoted wife and mother

Family life

While not discussing her family life in public, Morgan has been consistently recalled as a devoted wife and mother.

After dying aged 45 following a short battle with lung cancer, she leaves behind who young daughters and a husband, having said that she would rather be remembered as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend, than as a talented reporter.

She explained: ‘They are the things that matter.’

 ITV Network News’ editor Andrew Dagnell said: ‘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. 

‘Emily was an exceptional journalist, a devoted mother and wife, and a true trailblazer in our field.’

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