A former regional journalist who was honoured by the industry’s training body just months ago has died aged 63.
Tributes have been paid to Paul Durrant, pictured left, who held positions including assistant editor of the Eastern Daily Press during a regional press career which lasted more than 40 years.
Paul had battled cancer of the oesophagus and, after his illness was revealed to be terminal, the National Council for the Training of Journalists named a new award in his honour.
In recent years, Paul devoted much of his time to journalism training, regularly teaching at the Eastern Daily Press and East Anglian Daily Times and helping trainees prepare for their senior exams.
Paul joined the East Anglian Daily Times as a trainee in 1971 and did his preliminary exams training at Sheffield College before passing his proficiency test at Harlow College.
In the early 1980s, he moved from Ipswich to the Eastern Daily Press, in Norwich, where he was news editor for more than two decades before leaving the paper in 2009 as part of an editorial restructure.
He also worked for the Journalism Diversity Fund and was a member of the NCTJ’s journalism exam board from December 2007.
Paul was honoured in 2014 at the NCTJ’s Journalism Skills Conference when he was presented with the chairman’s award for his outstanding contribution to journalism training.
Joanne Butcher, NCTJ chief executive, said: “Paul was an amazing journalist, examiner and trainer who inspired so many trainees to achieve their very best.
“He encouraged young journalists to challenge, champion, campaign, probe and ask the awkward questions. Those journalists and the industry’s training scheme owe so much to Paul and, as well as the award set up by Archant in his honour, are his legacy.
“News back in July that Paul’s cancer was terminal was shocking and heart breaking for everyone close to him. Paul, who was overwhelmed by the support he received, responded with typically good humour.”
Many offers of support for Paul at the time of his illness were met with typically humourous responses including requesting arrangements for West Bromwich Albion to win the Premiership next season, and for him to score a century at Lord’s and a 147 at the Crucible.
Joanne added: “When his cancer was first diagnosed, he said the worst news of all was that hair loss from the invasive treatment would include his moustache.
“When Paul was given the chairman’s award in 2014 the walk-up music we chose was Tina Turner’s simply the best – because he was the best. Paul was one of journalism’s finest trainers and examiners and will be sorely missed.
“All of us at the NCTJ who worked with Paul send our heartfelt sympathies to his dear wife Christine, his children, grandchildren, family, friends and colleagues.”
The Paul Durrant Award will be presented annually by the NCTJ to the candidate from the East of England who gives the best performance in the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ).
The winner of the award, sponsored by Archant, will receive £250 and a certificate of achievement.
Speaking to the EDP at the time the new award was announced, Paul said: “It’s truly humbling to discover that my industry wants to mark my death in this way. The only condition is that it’s dropped once the next generation starts asking, ‘Paul Who?’
“I have passionately believed that proper training is the bedrock to good journalism, and that trying to uphold our values and standards – objectively, legally and ethically – is what separates the real pros from the rest.
“Whatever the platform, we need to champion our communities and challenge authority.
“Training and gold-standard industry qualifications give us all the confidence to do that, and hopefully go some way to restoring the public’s faith and trust in believing that real journalism matters.”
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Very sad news. Not unexpected, but still a shock.
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A great journalist, great boss and great bloke whose influence will carry on.
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RIP Duzza.
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Fine journalist, who wouldn’t accept second best, and a really nice guy.
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Paul was one of the best News Editors in the UK. No exaggeration. he got the best out of his staff … he WAS the Eastern Daily Press. It was never the same product after he left. The industry is minus one brilliant journalist today.
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Very sad news. As a PR man, I appreciated how Duzza was just as happy to teach us PRs as he was his own journalists. A genuinely nice man, too.
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Paul’s legacy lives on in the scores of young trainees who found him so inspirational – and who he enjoyed teaching immensely. He was a delight to work with on the training front, and we shall miss him greatly, both personally and professionally.
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Paul loved our EDP v Norwich Evening News rivalry 30 years ago – hiding stories, stealing stories etc etc – and brought the same mischievous enthusiasm to working with young journalists. Cheers, Paul, we’ll miss you.
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Even though there was plenty of warning, it’s still a sad loss to journalism – not only in Norfolk. Duzza leaves the legacy of a bunch of well-trained, decent journalists who were all fortunate enough to work with him.
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Rest in peace Paul. If there’s any justice they’ll be a St Peter’s News waiting with a splash to tweak before the Social Club opens, with Adnams on tap, in time to see England winning the Ashes on the telly. You made us all better at what we do even if at times you were just a bit impossible. Say hello to Warey. Journalism ain’t the same without you both.
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Paul really was one of the good ‘uns – he was Mr EDP and so many of us feel lucky to have known him.
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I worked with Paul at COI, he was a true gentleman, genuine, funny and immensely talented. A pleasure to have known. Lousy darts player mind! You will be missed mate.
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Very sad news.
Paul conducted my interview for the JDF. He was the one that gave me a chance and his kindness and interest in my story really soothed my nerves.
I will always be grateful for the opportunity he gave me.
Thoughts with Paul’s friends and family at this sad time.
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I worked with Paul at the EDP. The most talented journalist I ever worked with. Took so much from him with me through my career. He was my inspiration.
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Duzza terrified me when I was a new trainee, but I soon found out that he was kind, wise and funny as well as a fantastic journalist and news efitor.
RIP Paul
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Very sorry to hear this. A real pro gone. His legacy is the skills nurtured in a generation of trainees.
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Determined, driven, talented, tenacious, Paul set high standards in the newsroom…and on the cricket pitch as well. He was a cut above as a wicket-keeper – agile, with quick reflexes and a competitive but fair approach. RIP Duzza. You won’t be forgotten. An ECN/ Archant legend.
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Simply the best EDP editor it never had. Hated, loved and respected in one newsroom heartbeat.
Still, 30-odd years on, I hear Duzza’s voice in my head telling to write it again, ask the killer question and keep it short.
“Every story can be told in 200 words, Rach.”
But not one to do Duzza’s contribution to so many careers, causes and great papers justice.
A privilege to be bawled out by you.
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Paul was my first news editor and I don’t remember a time when he didn’t slightly scare me. He was relentless in the pursuit of excellence and scornful of those who didn’t share his passion and work ethic. He was the finest champion of his craft I have ever met and I undoubtedly owe my 40-year career in journalism to him.
I wrote him a letter a couple of months ago thanking him for those times in the mid seventies. His reply was a generous one, but he could resist correcting a spelling error I’d made. That was Paul. Always the bloody perfectionist!
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So sad to hear about Paul. I enjoyed working with him a great deal .There is no doubt that he was a highly talented journalist.
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Good journalist, good sportsman, good drinker. He taught me a lot 40 years ago when I was a quivering cub reporter trying to learn the ropes. He will be a big loss to regional journalism especially to those young kids setting out on their first tentative steps in this noble profession.
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