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Noel Botham - journalist, author, bon viveur and heroic drinker Noel Botham - journalist, author, bon viveur and heroic drinker
(35 minutes later)
I have just heard that Noel Botham - journalist, author, publican, raconteur and bon viveur - has died. He was 72, or maybe 73.I have just heard that Noel Botham - journalist, author, publican, raconteur and bon viveur - has died. He was 72, or maybe 73.
He was the epitome of a Fleet Street scandal-monger and happy to be regarded as such. In a lengthy Fleet Street career, he worked for the Daily Herald, Daily Sketch, The People and the News of the World, where he was chief investigator for a period.He was the epitome of a Fleet Street scandal-monger and happy to be regarded as such. In a lengthy Fleet Street career, he worked for the Daily Herald, Daily Sketch, The People and the News of the World, where he was chief investigator for a period.
He later became European editor of the US supermarket check-out weekly, the National Enquirer.He later became European editor of the US supermarket check-out weekly, the National Enquirer.
A glimpse of Botham's flamboyant character can be glimpsed in a boozy Press Gazette interview in May this year with John Dale, who wrote of him:A glimpse of Botham's flamboyant character can be glimpsed in a boozy Press Gazette interview in May this year with John Dale, who wrote of him:
"He's the last cavalier in a world of roundheads. He symbolises free range against the battery farms of Canary Wharf and other media plantations.""He's the last cavalier in a world of roundheads. He symbolises free range against the battery farms of Canary Wharf and other media plantations."
Botham, a lumbering giant of a man with a ready smile and twinkling eyes, was proud of founding AAA, Anti-Alcoholics Anonymous. This was set up, he explained, so that friends could call him any time should they be in danger of seriously considering giving up drink - he promised to dissuade them.Botham, a lumbering giant of a man with a ready smile and twinkling eyes, was proud of founding AAA, Anti-Alcoholics Anonymous. This was set up, he explained, so that friends could call him any time should they be in danger of seriously considering giving up drink - he promised to dissuade them.
He became famous (infamous) in 1997 for revealing the truth about the paternity of the late TV presenter (and wife of Bob Geldof) Paula Yates.He became famous (infamous) in 1997 for revealing the truth about the paternity of the late TV presenter (and wife of Bob Geldof) Paula Yates.
After the funeral of his friend, the entertainer Hughie Green, he announced that Green had fathered Yates. Until then, she believed she was the child of Green's long-time adversary, Jess Yates. Though Botham's claim wasn't initially believed, DNA tests proved him right.After the funeral of his friend, the entertainer Hughie Green, he announced that Green had fathered Yates. Until then, she believed she was the child of Green's long-time adversary, Jess Yates. Though Botham's claim wasn't initially believed, DNA tests proved him right.
By the time of time of that shattering revelation, Botham was running one of Soho's great landmark pubs, The French House, with his wife, Lesley Lewis. By the time of that shattering revelation, Botham was running one of Soho's great landmark pubs, The French House, with his wife, Lesley Lewis.
He also became a prolific author, mostly about the royal family, with biographies of Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. He was convinced that Diana was murdered.He also became a prolific author, mostly about the royal family, with biographies of Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. He was convinced that Diana was murdered.
He also co-authored a diverse range of books and ghosted the two autobiographies of the eccentric Catholic priest, Michael Seed. They launched the second volume at Stringfellows lap-dancing club.He also co-authored a diverse range of books and ghosted the two autobiographies of the eccentric Catholic priest, Michael Seed. They launched the second volume at Stringfellows lap-dancing club.
One of Botham's works, The World's Greatest Book of Useless Information, contained a long and enjoyable section on famous insults.One of Botham's works, The World's Greatest Book of Useless Information, contained a long and enjoyable section on famous insults.
It included the taunt by Mark Twain about Henry James: "Once you've put one of his books down, you simply can't pick it up again".It included the taunt by Mark Twain about Henry James: "Once you've put one of his books down, you simply can't pick it up again".
I guess the same could be said of most of Botham's own books. But to be in his company was a different matter. Fleet Street's finest liked nothing better than spending time with a man who drank champagne like water and loved to recount tales of journalistic misbehaviour that would have made Lord Justice Leveson's hair (when he had it) stand on end.I guess the same could be said of most of Botham's own books. But to be in his company was a different matter. Fleet Street's finest liked nothing better than spending time with a man who drank champagne like water and loved to recount tales of journalistic misbehaviour that would have made Lord Justice Leveson's hair (when he had it) stand on end.