A sportswriter has celebrated his 80th birthday by writing a book reminiscing about his career.

John Dee, who used to work at Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star, has penned ‘Deetales’, looking back on his coverage of sports including football and snooker.

Characters mentioned in the book include snooker legend Alex Higgins, with much of the book devoted to his interactions with the Irishman.

John was editor of Cue World, his own snooker magazine, after working for the Express & Star.

John Dee at the launch of his book, Deetales, with former Express & Star colleagues (back, left to right) Arthur Mills, David Harrison and John Ogden and (front) Steve Gordos

Born in Gloucester, John completed National Service with the RAF and worked on the weekly Wednesbury Borough News before moving to Wolverhampton, in 1960.

Initially working as a news reporter, he moved to the paper’s sports desk in the mid 1960s and covered the fortunes of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

John’s coverage of Wolves was during the managerial reign of another larger-than-life character, Bill McGarry, which also provides plenty of material for his recollections.

Proceeds from Deetales will go to a fund set up to care for one of his five granddaughters, Eloise, aged 12, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare neuro-muscular condition.

John still works as a freelance snooker reporter and will be in Thailand later in the year to cover a tournament there. His long career was recognised by the game’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association when he received their ‘services to snooker’ award in 2001.

Those wishing to buy the book at £10 should contact him on 07770 321147.