This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/08/john-cole-bbc-political-editor-dies

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
John Cole, former BBC political editor, dies aged 85 John Cole, former BBC political editor, dies aged 85
(35 minutes later)
John Cole, the BBC's former political editor, has died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Surrey aged 85.John Cole, the BBC's former political editor, has died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Surrey aged 85.
Cole was familiar to a generation of viewers for covering major stories during the Margaret Thatcher era, including the miners' strike and the Brighton bombing.Cole was familiar to a generation of viewers for covering major stories during the Margaret Thatcher era, including the miners' strike and the Brighton bombing.
A former deputy editor of the Guardian and the Observer, Cole retired from the BBC in 1992 after over a decade at the corporation.A former deputy editor of the Guardian and the Observer, Cole retired from the BBC in 1992 after over a decade at the corporation.
"While many people will remember John for his journalism and broadcasting, for us he was the most loving, funny and devoted husband, father and grandfather," his family said in a statement on Friday morning. "We will miss him terribly, but have so many memories of the tremendous happiness he has brought into our lives." "While many people will remember John for his journalism and broadcasting, for us he was the most loving, funny and devoted husband, father and grandfather," his family said in a statement on Friday morning.
"We will miss him terribly, but have so many memories of the tremendous happiness he has brought into our lives."
He is survived by his wife Madge, four sons – Donald, Patrick, David and Michael – and nine grandchildren.He is survived by his wife Madge, four sons – Donald, Patrick, David and Michael – and nine grandchildren.
An erudite and incisive political journalist, Cole guided viewers through a tumultuous period in British history during Thatcher's time in office.An erudite and incisive political journalist, Cole guided viewers through a tumultuous period in British history during Thatcher's time in office.
He quickly became distinctive for his trademark overcoat and Ulster brogue, which drew satire from Private Eye and the ITV show Spitting Image.He quickly became distinctive for his trademark overcoat and Ulster brogue, which drew satire from Private Eye and the ITV show Spitting Image.
Cole was born in Belfast on 23 November 1927 into a Protestant unionist family. He embarked on a distinguished career in newspapers at the age of 17, when he joined the Belfast Telegraph before moving to the Guardian, then based in Manchester, in 1956.Cole was born in Belfast on 23 November 1927 into a Protestant unionist family. He embarked on a distinguished career in newspapers at the age of 17, when he joined the Belfast Telegraph before moving to the Guardian, then based in Manchester, in 1956.
His arrival at the BBC in 1981 was "by accident", he once remarked, adding: "Us modern Presbyterians don't believe in predestination, but on this occasion I thought I'd give it a whizz."His arrival at the BBC in 1981 was "by accident", he once remarked, adding: "Us modern Presbyterians don't believe in predestination, but on this occasion I thought I'd give it a whizz."
That proved to be a great understatement, with Cole charting the course of British politics from 1981 to 1992 often from the heart of the action.That proved to be a great understatement, with Cole charting the course of British politics from 1981 to 1992 often from the heart of the action.
He was in Brighton in 1984 when an IRA bomb exploded at the Grand hotel, memorably securing a pavement interview with Thatcher who insisted stoically that the Tory party conference would go ahead in spite of the blast.He was in Brighton in 1984 when an IRA bomb exploded at the Grand hotel, memorably securing a pavement interview with Thatcher who insisted stoically that the Tory party conference would go ahead in spite of the blast.
News of Cole's death was marked with tributes from leading figures in politics and broadcasting.News of Cole's death was marked with tributes from leading figures in politics and broadcasting.
David Cameron's official spokesman said: "The prime minister is deeply saddened by the news and would send his condolences, of course, to Mr Cole's family and friends. David Cameron's official spokesman said: "The prime minister is deeply saddened by the news and would send his condolences, of course, to Mr Cole's family and friends. He is someone who contributed so much to British political life."
"He is someone who contributed so much to British political life."
The BBC's current political editor, Nick Robinson, added: "Sad news. The man I learnt so much from, the BBC's former political editor John Cole, has died. He shaped the way all in my trade do our jobs."The BBC's current political editor, Nick Robinson, added: "Sad news. The man I learnt so much from, the BBC's former political editor John Cole, has died. He shaped the way all in my trade do our jobs."
Jeremy Vine, the BBC presenter, described Cole as "one of the most gifted broadcasters ever" and the BBC's Mark Simpson called him "a journalistic legend".Jeremy Vine, the BBC presenter, described Cole as "one of the most gifted broadcasters ever" and the BBC's Mark Simpson called him "a journalistic legend".
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.