Former Daily Mirror Editor Richard Stott led the tributes to journalist and crime writer Frank Palmer at his funeral in Nottinghamshire yesterday (Fri June 9).

Former colleagues and friends packed the church of St Mary Magdalene in Mr Palmer’s home village of Keyworth for an emotional send-off to the 66-year-old former journalist and crime writer, who died suddenly on June 1.

Mr Palmer started his newspaper career on the Lincolnshire Echo, before joining the Daily Express. He was the Daily Mirror’s man in the East Midlands for more than 20 years – becoming a friend, and teacher, to many regional journalists on local papers, radio and television.

Mr Stott, who first met Mr Palmer in the 1960s, recalled how he was then known by his nickname – “Baggy” Palmer – coined because of his baggy suits, half-mast tie, “Just William” shirt tails flying and “glasses which seemed to have a life of their own”.

He spoke warmly of Mr Palmer’s passion and commitment to his work and his dedication to exposing corruption and hypocrisy.

“He was the one who would always walk that extra mile to answer that one question which needed to be asked…who would make that extra phone call and knock on just one more door,” said Mr Stott. “Reporters like him are like gold dust.”

When Mr Palmer took early retirement in 1991, disillusioned by the Maxwell era at the Mirror, he turned to writing crime novels – with great success.

Chris Throup, who travelled the world with him during his retirement, described Mr Palmer as a steadfast and true friend who gathered people to him wherever he went.

A devoted family man, he was devastated by the sudden death of his wife Ann five years ago, but found comfort in the love and companionship of his two sons, their wives and his four grandchildren.

Vicar of Keyworth, the Rev Trevor Sisson, told the congregation: “We are all the richer for knowing Frank. We say thank you to God for Frank, and thank you to Frank – for everything.”