Wed, 11 November, 2026
Christine Kelly
Posted: September 7, 2025
FORMER Daily Mirror sports desk secretary CHRIS KELLY died on August 16 [2025], aged 79. Irrepressible and ever popular, Chris is pictured coping with the avalanche of mail received at the Mirror’s offices during the campaign to restore Eddie the Eagle to Great Britain’s Olympic ski-jumping team in 1992
[Her funeral is on Monday, September 15 [2025] at 11.30am at St Mark’s Church, 46 St Mark’s Road, Mitcham CR4 2LF. The wake will follow at the Toby Carvery, Park Place, 54 Commonside West, Mitcham CR4 4HB. Traditional funeral attire please – plus a Poppy and/or a whisper of red. Family flowers only, please. Any donations to the Royal British Legion, 26 St. Mark’s Road, Mitcham Surrey, CR4 2LF.]
Chris was a hugely popular figure at the Mirror, both in Holborn and after the move to Canary Wharf. At her funeral, Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh emotionally read part of the eulogy, and paid tribute to a woman she described as the “Queen of Mitcham”, asking: “What will we do without her?”
Her friend for decades, Louise Flood, said: “Chris had the ability to brighten any room with her lovely smile and sense of humour. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She will be missed by all her friends but will never be forgotten.” Louise attended the funeral with current chief reporter Andy Lines, who posted this tribute on Facebook:
“Chris worked for the Daily Mirror for 42 years.
“Lover of the Royal Family.
“Passionate supporter of the British Legion.
“Friend of Sir Alf Ramsey and Bobby Moore.
“It was a very sad but also joyous day at the same time. A life very well lived.”
Other former colleagues who attended the funeral were Christian and Sharon Gysin, Dave Flood and Fari Catterson.