A regional journalist who went on to join the police force has died of bowel cancer aged 32.

Tributes have been paid to Jack Calvert, who worked for Scottish Provincial Press and the Aberdeen Evening Express during his career.

Jack, pictured, went on to join Police Scotland as an officer after deciding to leave newspapers.

The father-of-one had been living with cancer since 2020.

Former SPP colleague Alan Hendry told the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald: “It’s utterly tragic. Jack was such a fit and healthy and conscientious lad, always so polite and dependable and well turned out, a keen and quick learner, and so well-liked by everyone – a pleasure to work with.

“Jack had always enjoyed standing in at the Northern Times, where he was a very welcome presence, and I remember there were pictures of him leaping into the sea off the pier at Golspie – just a fun thing to do during his lunch break.”

Jack began his career in his early 20s as a trainee on the Herald, his hometown paper.

He was part of the special publications team at SPP’s Inverness headquarters producing features, supplements and magazines and also worked as a roving reporter covering holiday leave for several of the company’s titles.

Former Herald editor Gavin Musgrove said: “It’s a terrible shock, especially knowing how super fit Jack had always been.

“I recall he travelled all the way down to Devon just for a weekend to take part in a high-level Crossfit games with teammates from his gym – he really was dedicated to his sport.

“I also fondly remember taking a winter’s dip with Jack in Loch Morlich for a fundraiser to help a charity close to his heart which had been helping his grandmother.”

A rugby union fan who played for the Police Scotland North team, Jack was an honoured guest of the Scottish Rugby Football Union before Scotland’s international against France in March this year.

He died last month surrounded by his family at home in Maryculter, Aberdeen.

Jack is survived by wife Eilidh, daughter Nina, mother Amanda and his brothers and sisters Harry, Emily, Freddie and Sophie.