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James Whitaker, former Daily Mirror royal editor, dies James Whitaker, former Daily Mirror royal editor, dies
(40 minutes later)
James Whitaker, the royal commentator and former royal editor of the Daily Mirror, has died following a battle with cancer.James Whitaker, the royal commentator and former royal editor of the Daily Mirror, has died following a battle with cancer.
Writing on the Mirror website, editor Richard Wallace paid tribute to him as a "true Fleet Street" legend. Writing on the Mirror website, editor Richard Wallace paid tribute to him as a "true Fleet Street legend".
Mr Whitaker, who was 71, most memorably broke the news that Princess Diana was suffering from an eating disorder.Mr Whitaker, who was 71, most memorably broke the news that Princess Diana was suffering from an eating disorder.
The journalist, whose family were with him when he died, later wrote a book about her marriage to Prince Charles. Buckingham Palace said: "Those in the Royal household who knew James were extremely sad to learn of his death."
Mr Whitaker died on Wednesday, the Mirror said. The journalist, whose family were with him when he died on Wednesday, later wrote a book about her marriage to Prince Charles.
"James was a true Fleet Street legend who became famous around the world as a royal reporter," said Mr Wallace."James was a true Fleet Street legend who became famous around the world as a royal reporter," said Mr Wallace.
"His colleagues often joked that at times he appeared grander than the royals themselves - which, of course, he loved."His colleagues often joked that at times he appeared grander than the royals themselves - which, of course, he loved.
"Despite the severity of his illness, he never complained or went in for self-pity, but insisted he had a life well lived."Despite the severity of his illness, he never complained or went in for self-pity, but insisted he had a life well lived.
"Our thoughts are with his loving family who - like us all - will miss him terribly.""Our thoughts are with his loving family who - like us all - will miss him terribly."
'Big-hearted''Big-hearted'
Former colleagues and fans of the commentator took to Twitter to pay tribute.Former colleagues and fans of the commentator took to Twitter to pay tribute.
Journalist and novelist Tony Parsons tweeted: "Goodbye and RIP James Whitaker: Daily Mirror Royalist, Diana watcher, Fleet Street legend and a man of boundless generosity and enthusiasm."Journalist and novelist Tony Parsons tweeted: "Goodbye and RIP James Whitaker: Daily Mirror Royalist, Diana watcher, Fleet Street legend and a man of boundless generosity and enthusiasm."
Mr Parsons described him as an "old school, big-hearted Fleet Street hand" and added "even when you were doing jobs he could have done, he wished you love and luck".Mr Parsons described him as an "old school, big-hearted Fleet Street hand" and added "even when you were doing jobs he could have done, he wished you love and luck".
Arthur Edwards, royal photographer at the Sun, tweeted: "He was a great man and a brilliant reporter."
Rose Nixon, editor of Hello! magazine, tweeted: "Terribly sad news today with the death of James Whitaker, royal editor extraordinaire.Rose Nixon, editor of Hello! magazine, tweeted: "Terribly sad news today with the death of James Whitaker, royal editor extraordinaire.
"His energy and enthusiasm as a journalist and also as a husband, father and grandfather will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.""His energy and enthusiasm as a journalist and also as a husband, father and grandfather will never be forgotten. Rest in peace."
Former Labour press chief Alastair Campbell tweeted: "In a profession of big characters, he was one of the biggest."Former Labour press chief Alastair Campbell tweeted: "In a profession of big characters, he was one of the biggest."
'Doyen of reporters''Doyen of reporters'
Guardian media commentator Roy Greenslade wrote that Mr Whitaker was regarded as the "doyen of the royal reporting pack during the Princess Diana era".Guardian media commentator Roy Greenslade wrote that Mr Whitaker was regarded as the "doyen of the royal reporting pack during the Princess Diana era".
As the Daily Mirror's royal editor for a generation, he was responsible for breaking a succession of exclusive stories, he wrote.As the Daily Mirror's royal editor for a generation, he was responsible for breaking a succession of exclusive stories, he wrote.
"He was a terrific colleague. Loud, funny and with an amazing enthusiasm for story-getting," wrote Greenslade, who had worked with Mr Whitaker at the Daily Star and the Mirror. "He was a terrific colleague. Loud, funny and with an amazing enthusiasm for story-getting," wrote Greenslade, who worked with Mr Whitaker at the Daily Star and the Mirror.
Mirror photographer Kent Gavin told Greenslade: "He was, truly, a legend in his time. He had a great rapport with all the members of the royal family in spite of writing controversial stories sometimes.Mirror photographer Kent Gavin told Greenslade: "He was, truly, a legend in his time. He had a great rapport with all the members of the royal family in spite of writing controversial stories sometimes.
"And he was respected by colleagues and rivals as well. He was just the best.""And he was respected by colleagues and rivals as well. He was just the best."
'Red tomato''Red tomato'
In a previous Guardian article, Mr Greenslade wrote that Mr Whitaker was one of very few journalists to have held staff jobs on all five of the popular tabloids - the Daily Star, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Sun and Mirror. In a previous Guardian article, Mr Greenslade wrote that Mr Whitaker href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2011/jun/13/daily-mirror-national-newspapers" >was one of very few journalists to have held staff jobs on all five of the popular tabloids - the Daily Star, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Sun and Mirror.
More recently Mr Whitaker, a regular commentator on royal affairs for television and radio, reflected on Prince Philip's place in the royal family, in a piece for the Mirror. More recently Mr Whitaker, a regular commentator on royal affairs for television and radio, reflected on Prince Philip's place in the Royal Family, in a piece for the Mirror.
Mr Whitaker, who also worked for a time as a royal correspondent for ITV1's This Morning, was once dubbed the "red tomato" owing to his bulky skiing outfit.Mr Whitaker, who also worked for a time as a royal correspondent for ITV1's This Morning, was once dubbed the "red tomato" owing to his bulky skiing outfit.
He was also a competitor in Celebrity Fit Club, winning the 2004 series.He was also a competitor in Celebrity Fit Club, winning the 2004 series.
In total, his career spanned more than 40 years, the Mirror said, and he had described "the relationship and build up between Charles and Diana, when they were heading towards marriage" as a career highlight.