Gentleman Express & Star reporter who interviewed the stars and travelled the world
From Tito’s funeral to chats with Goldie, Express & Star man John Scott saw it all over five decades
Tributes have been paid to a former Express & Star journalist who interviewed prime ministers and pop stars and travelled the world over a career spanning more than 50 years.
John Scott, who retired from his role as the newspaper’s crime reporter in 2020, died on Monday, aged 76.
He worked for the newspaper over two spells, initially joining in 1972, and returning in 2005, remaining their for 15 years until retiring at the age of 70. In between, he worked on the embryonic Daily Star before becoming Midland correspondent on The Sun.
He became a familiar figure at Wolverhampton Crown Court, where he would be found most days, and was well-liked by the court staff.
Known for his old-school courtesy, he had a knack for connecting with members of the public and winning their trust, and many of his stories came from relationships he had painstakingly nurtured over the years.
John also served as the Express & Star’s defence writer, joining members of 3-Mercian Regiment - known as The Staffords - in Afghanistan’s notorious Helmand Province in 2014.
During his time in Helmand, he witnessed a roadside bomb and joined members of a field hospital as they gave emergency first aid.
Also while working for the Express & Star, he interviewed prime minister’s David Cameron and Boris Johnson, as well as 70s singer Jimmy Osmond and Wolverhampton-born rapper and artist Goldie.
John began his career at the Croydon Advertiser in the late 1960s, before moving to Halesowen when he took up his role at the Express & Star.
He joined the rival Birmingham Evening Mail in 1974 to take up the role of crime reporter, before heading for Fleet Street to join the newly launched Daily Star.
In May 1980 he was sent to Belgrade to cover the funeral of Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito, but later that year he left the Star for The Sun, where he was given the role of Midland reporter.
In 1997 he covered the trial of Tracie Andrews from Alvechurch, who was later convicted of murdering her fiance Lee Harvey, which he described as the most dramatic trial he had covered.
He also interviewed Diana Ross.
His son Jamie, now a barrister, said he loved covering the courts but also regarded his time in Helmand as a career highlight.
“His forte wasn’t so much in the writing, but he what he really enjoyed was the investigative side of it, and the human contact, speaking to people,” he said.
John’s later years were marred by dementia, but Jamie said he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He leaves widow Aideen, sons Jamie and Rory, and grandsons Julius, three, and Dante, three months.