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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 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. |
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