A regional daily writer has received unexpected Transatlantic praise after being named the UK’s best newspaper columnist by an influential American author and blogger.

Steve Canavan, pictured left, who writes a weekly column for The Gazette, Blackpool, has been awarded the unofficial title by Choire Sicha, former editor of New York-based media website Gawker.

Choire made the claim in a piece for his more recent venture, the online women’s magazine The Hairpin.

He cited Steve’s columns on subjects as diverse as family holidays, being soaked in urine at a Noel Gallagher concert and his recent engagement as evidence for the accolade.

Wrote Choire: “Unlike literally everyone at the New York Times, he can get a column out of anything.”

Steve previous worked as The Gazette’s Blackpool FC reporter and later moved to become its entertainment writer.

He now works for BBC Sport, but still retains his column, called ‘The Thing Is’, in the paper.

Steve told HTFP: “It was very odd to think that I write for a regional newspaper in Blackpool, but someone in New York is reading what I’m doing.

“I’m not sure how they came across my column but obviously I’m very pleased that someone on the other side of the Atlantic has seen it.

“I’m not altogether sure how serious they’re being but they did tweet me to tell me about it so hopefully they’re genuine admirers rather than simply taking the micky.

“I’ve done this column for a couple of years now and it does seem to go down well with people locally.”