Former Fleet Street editor and renowned Mirror executive, Bill Hagerty, has passed away at the age of 86.
In 2023, Bill received the Journalist Laureate award for his outstanding contributions to the industry. The London Press Club citation hailed him as a true representative of The People, a newspaper he once helmed.
Born on St George’s Day in 1939 in Ilford, East London, Bill defied his school headmaster’s advice against pursuing journalism and embarked on his career at the age of 16 with the Walthamstow Post before moving on to Reynolds News, later rebranded as the Sunday Citizen in 1962.
During his tenure as the showbusiness editor at the Daily Mirror, Bill had the privilege of interviewing numerous global celebrities, including John Wayne, Richard Burton, Michael Caine, Roger Moore, and Joan Collins, among others. His reporting skills were highly regarded by the former editor Lord Cudlipp.
Bill held editorial positions at prominent newspapers like Sunday Today and The People on Fleet Street, and he also served as the acting editor of the Daily Mirror for a period. Additionally, he oversaw the editing of all eight volumes of Alastair Campbell’s diaries, who was the press secretary for former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A prolific writer, Bill authored two books on British media, notably “Read All About It – 100 Sensational Years of the Daily Mirror.” He was also chosen by The British Library in 2007 to share his life story as part of the Oral History of the British Press project.
Later in his career, Bill took the helm of the esteemed media magazine British Journalism Review and remained as the chairman emeritus. At the 2023 London Press Club awards, Bill reflected on his humble beginnings in journalism and his enduring passion for the field.
Colleagues and peers paid tribute to Bill, with Doug Wills, the chair of the London Press Club, praising him as a stalwart figure in the journalistic realm. Mirror columnist Kevin Maguire described him as a wise and humorous individual, while royal author Robert Jobson highlighted Bill’s unparalleled dedication to journalism, press freedom, and charitable causes.
Survived by his wife Liz, a former Mirror journalist, Bill is also remembered by his children Will, Faith, and Adam, and his five grandchildren. His unwavering commitment to the Mirror and press freedom remained steadfast until the end.