David Bradbury

Posted: July 22nd, 2015

Former Daily Mirror sub-editor and writer DAVID BRADBURY died on July 13 (2015), from cancer, at University College Hospital. The funeral was private, but a memorial service will be held later. His friend and colleague Paul Callan said: “I saw him just two weeks ago and he seemed his old, lively self.  I shall miss David so much – he was clever, funny and part of a Mirror that was still great.”

Obituary by PAUL CALLAN (with grateful thanks also to Jane)

DAVID BRADBURY, who has died aged 72, began his career on the Yorkshire Post as a sub-editor after graduating from Manchester University, where he read psychology.

He was part of a highly talented group of journalists who worked for the Daily Mirror in the 1970s and ’80s under the enlightened editorship of Mike Molloy.

The paper was then a leader in the tabloid field; it was widely respected and the circulation was high.

The atmosphere in the old Holborn office in those days was happy and productive. And, unusually for Fleet Street, many friendships were formed that continued outside the newsroom.

I was happy to count dear David as such a close colleague and personal friend. He was a convivial and warm-hearted man who turned in polished and shining work, particularly when we worked together on the daily Close Up page.

Having studied psychology at Manchester University, he approached every assignment with academic finesse. He did not subscribe to the erroneous belief, held by some at the Mirror, that certain subjects were above the heads of the readers.

His work included spells as a sub-editor, and stints on the newsdesk and in the Lobby. He also worked in the Mirror’s Paris and New York bureaux between 1979 and 1984. His final mainstream job was on The European but he went freelance after Robert Maxwell’s great clear-out in the early 90s.

A lifelong jazz aficionado, David later wrote several critically acclaimed biographies of the jazz greats.

For many years he was also a valued member of the editorial board of the British Journalism Review.

David, who was married to his beloved Jane, left a sparkle of friendship wherever he went. His laugh, warmth and cheery manner will be much missed.