Tributes to ‘brilliant’ former Derby Telegraph editor following death at 68 after short illness
A FORMER editor of the Derby Telegraph has died after a short illness, aged 68.
Mike Lowe also edited the Bristol Post and Gloucester paper The Citizen during a career which spanned four decades.
Mr Lowe edited the Telegraph from 1991 to 1996. He also ran the Cotswold Life magazine between 2006 and 2020. He died on Wednesday, with his death confirmed on his Twitter account by his wife, Helen.
A statement read: “I expect many of you may have heard by now but I’m sorry to have to tell you that Mike, 68, passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon after a short illness. On top of all the other problems he has endured the past few years it was just too much for him. The end of an era.”
Born in Manchester, Mr Lowe first worked as a sports writer in Lincoln before spells at the Hull Daily Mail and The Sentinel in Stoke-on-Trent, before joining the Derby Telegraph in 1991. At Derby, he worked with several journalists who later went on to edit regional titles, including future Derby Telegraph editors, Steve Hall and Keith Perch.
He was known as a larger-thanlife and witty character who oversaw hard-hitting journalism which exposed corruption. Many former colleagues have now paid tribute to him.
Mr Hall said: “Mike was a huge character. Larger, and louder, than life, there was never a dull moment when you were in his company. But he was also an exceptional newspaperman, a brilliant wordsmith and a supremely talented designer. He was also fearless and happy to take on the establishment whenever he felt it needed a bloody nose. We shall not see his like again.”
Mike Sassi, former editor of the Stoke Sentinel and the Nottingham Post, and one of the journalists who worked with Mr Lowe in Derby, said: “Mike Lowe was an inspirational newspaper editor who made the Derby Telegraph a powerful voice for the people of Derby. He lived and breathed his work and will be fondly remembered by both readers and former colleagues. We’ll miss him.”
Simon O’Neill, who also worked at the Telegraph and later became editor of the Oxford Mail, said on Twitter: “Terribly sad news about my old boss. One of a kind is putting it mildly. Learned so much working for him at Derby.”
Mr Perch said: “Mike is widely recognised as one of the best regional journalists of recent decades. Like many others, I was lucky enough to benefit from not only his razor sharp mind, but also from his friendship.
“As a journalist and editor, he knew what he wanted and would not be swayed by any of the many pressures faced by editors. He was determined to hold the powerful to account and published without fear or favour.
“I feel very lucky and privileged to have known him for so long. His death is a very sad moment for many people, especially his wife Helen. He will be very sadly missed.”
Richard Bowyer, who edited The Sentinel prior to becoming a senior lecturer at the University of Derby, said: “Such devastating news. He taught me so much and I have a great deal to thank him for in helping my career. A brilliant editor and great, great company. So many brilliant memories.”
Mr Lowe had been with Helen for 20 years, having known each other since primary school.
Mrs Lowe asked for no flowers, but said a “small donation to your local food bank would make him and me happy”.