View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
December 11, 2015

Scotland’s ‘finest journalist’ Ian Bell has died aged 59

By PA Mediapoint

Tributes have been paid to award-winning journalist Ian Bell who has died at the age of 59.

The writer  began his working life as a sub-editor before turning to political journalism.

He went on to become a columnist and leader writer for The Herald and Sunday Herald.

Mr Bell won the Orwell Prize for political journalism in 1997 and he was named Columnist of the Year on several occasions, the Herald reported.

His death was confirmed by Magnus Llewellin, editor-in-chief of the Herald and Times Group, who described the journalist as "a great writer and a lovely man".

Mr Bell is survived by his wife Mandy and his son Sean.

In a statement in the Herald, Sean Bell said: "Our family has lost a husband, a father and a son and Scotland has lost its finest journalist. He set a standard none shall ever reach again yet he inspired us to never stop trying."

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Tributes flooded in on social media after news of his death emerged.

Playwright David Greig said on Twitter: "Oh this is so sad. Such a loss. Thoughts to all friends and colleagues.

"It seems such a small consideration in the face of grief, but if ever we needed Ian Bell's voice and writing, it is in Scotland now."

Journalist Kevin McKenna said: "Am distraught at the passing of Ian Bell. He was quite simply the best at what the rest of us try to do … and the most gentle and humble."

Solicitor Mike Dailly of the Govan Law Centre said: "Very sorry to hear Ian Bell of @heraldscotland has died. He was an insightful and thoughtful columnist and I enjoyed reading his opinions."

Broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli said: "The Scottish Columnist of the Year was affectionately known as the Ian Bell Prize, he won it that often."

Writing in the Herald, Mr Llewellin said: "Ian was a great writer and, more importantly, a great man.

"His was a vital voice in the national conversation but, more than that, he was a man of profound depth with a hinterland in literature, history and the arts, as demonstrated by the many awards he won as a journalist and author.

"Our thoughts are with his family and his many, many friends."

His death comes just days after Scotland lost another celebrated writer, the author William McIlvanney, at the age of 79.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote on Twitter: "We have lost Willie McIlvanney and Ian Bell in just one week. Too much."

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network