Best of 2025 … so far: ‘I am not who you think I am': how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
This week, from May: for the first time, the man the KGB codenamed 'the Inheritor' tells his story
By Shaun Walker. Read by James Faulkner
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Brian Davis obituary
My friend and former colleague Brian Davis, who has died aged 91, was a journalist of the old school, meticulous in his commitment to fair, accurate reporting throughout an understated but distinguished career. All those he trained remember his mantra: 'If you can't get names right, why should anyone trust the rest of the story?' He spent the bulk of his time in regional journalism, except for a stint subediting on the Guardian in the 1960s. He trained dozens of young journalists, including the future broadcaster Richard Madeley at the Brentwood Argus, where Brian was the launch editor in 1968 and stayed for nearly 20 years. He later appeared as a guest on an episode of This Is Your Life that featured Madeley. Brian was also the author of three books: Ferndown, The Back of Beyond (1996), about growing up in a Dorset village; You 'Orrible Little Man (2010), highlighting his experience of national service; and I'll Take That One (2013), about child wartime evacuees. Brian was born in Ferndown, to Ernest Davis, a hotel waiter, and his wife, Norah. He never entirely lost his Dorset lilt or his love of the county. He attended Queen Elizabeth's grammar school in Wimborne and at 18 worked at the Wimborne News for two years before beginning his national service in 1955. After that he worked on papers including the Hertfordshire Mercury, the Romford Recorder and the Ilford Pictorial, and then moved to launch the Argus – a tough job in an already crowded but very lucrative market, served at one time by five different newspapers. His fierce insistence on fact-checking belied a character that former colleagues described as encouraging, kind, funny, quirky, intelligent and patient. Brian went on to become an editor at the Yellow Advertiser before freelancing until a stroke in 2014 brought his career to an end. He was devoted to his second wife, Joy (nee Noys), a receptionist and typist, whom he married in 1973 and her son, Alan. They survive him, as do his children, Russell and Kate, from his first marriage, to Joan, which ended in divorce.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Popular BBC presenter leaves after 29 years
Investigative journalist Tony Smith has announced that he is leaving the BBC after working with the broadcaster for three decades. The TV personality announced his departure on X (formerly Twitter ) on Tuesday, admitting to his followers that now feels like the right time to leave and 'try something new'. Sharing a snap of himself holding a camera at sunset, Tony shared: 'Heading off into the sunset. Some personal news. After 29 years, today is my last day at BBC News. 'It's been amazing but the offer of redundancy was too good to turn down - and it felt like a good time to try something new. Not sure what comes next - watch this space.' Following his announcement, fans flocked to the comment section to wish the star well on his future endeavors. In his first decade with the broadcaster, he reported from places all around the world, including Asia, Africa, and The Americas. He also took home the prestigious Home News Award at the Royal Television Society for his story on racism in Northern Ireland. Tony also covered huge global events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic following his promotion to Senior Broadcast Journalist in 2010. Tony is following in the footsteps of Jordan North, Clara Amfo, and news presenter Mishal Husain, who all departed the corporation last year. In February last year, Jordan, 35, stepped down from his Radio 1 show after a decade to reportedly replace Roman Kemp as the Capital Breakfast host. Following Jordan's huge announcement , it was revealed at the time that Jamie Laing , 35, would take his place - Monday to Thursday, 3.30pm to 6pm - next to radio co-host Vick Hope . Thankful for all the support from his listeners, Jordan – who also hosts the Help I Sexted My Boss podcast – took to Instagram to thank his 834,000 followers for their positive reaction. Sharing an album of throwback snaps of his time at the station, Jordan captioned his update: 'Hello everyone. 'I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful colleagues / talented producers at Radio 1 who many I consider to be friends for life and will miss greatly, you've all reached out to me over the past 24 hours and it really has meant a lot. 'To my amazing fellow presenters I wish I could thank you all personally, I've loved working with you it's been an absolute blast! Big love to Katie Thisleton, Greg James, Arielle Free, Ricky, Melvin & Charlie, Dean & Vicky, Clara Amfo, Matt & Molly, Scott Mills, Grimmy, all the rest of you fantastic lot, and of course my partner in crime Vick Hope…I'll miss being on air with you every day. 'MOST IMPORTANTLY the biggest of thank you to the fantastic listeners who have been really generous and always made me feel welcome, your kind words & messages have been so lovely, THANK YOU SO MUCH. 'I'll be back soon, and can't wait to see you all again.' But not all fans were left happy after the announcement, as some fled to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their upset. One penned: 'Why do the good ones always leave?' 'Really hope this was your decision @jordannorth1 and that it means bigger things for you - we love you and will miss you v much xx.' He now co-hosts the Capital Breakfast show on Capital FM alongside Chris Stark and Sian Welby.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Popular BBC presenter QUITS after a whopping 29 years with broadcaster - admitting 'I don't know what comes next' as they're flooded with support from fans
Investigative journalist Tony Smith has announced that he is leaving the BBC after working with the broadcaster for three decades. The TV personality announced his departure on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, admitting to his followers that now feels like the right time to leave and 'try something new'. Sharing a snap of himself holding a camera at sunset, Tony shared: 'Heading off into the sunset. Some personal news. After 29 years, today is my last day at BBC News. 'It's been amazing but the offer of redundancy was too good to turn down - and it felt like a good time to try something new. Not sure what comes next - watch this space.' Following his announcement, fans flocked to the comment section to wish the star well on his future endeavours. One user wrote: 'Sorry to hear that, but I expect you will have fun on the other side!' Another stated: 'All the very best Tony for whatever comes next.' While someone else added: 'All the very best Tony, have a ball!' In 1997, Tony began his career at the BBC as a journalist working for the news channel. In his first decade with the broadcaster, he reported from places all around the world, including Asia, Africa, and The Americas. He also took home the prestigious Home News Award at the Royal Television Society for his story on racism in Northern Ireland. Tony also covered huge global events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic following his promotion to Senior Broadcast Journalist in 2010. Tony is following in the footsteps of Jordan North, Clara Amfo, and news presenter Mishal Husain, who all departed the corporation last year. In February last year, Jordan, 35, stepped down from his Radio 1 show after a decade to reportedly replace Roman Kemp as the Capital Breakfast host. Following Jordan's huge announcement, it was revealed at the time that Jamie Laing, 35, would take his place - Monday to Thursday, 3.30pm to 6pm - next to radio co-host Vick Hope. Thankful for all the support from his listeners, Jordan – who also hosts the Help I Sexted My Boss podcast – took to Instagram to thank his 834,000 followers for their positive reaction. Sharing an album of throwback snaps of his time at the station, Jordan captioned his update: 'Hello everyone. 'I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful colleagues / talented producers at Radio 1 who many I consider to be friends for life and will miss greatly, you've all reached out to me over the past 24 hours and it really has meant a lot. 'To my amazing fellow presenters I wish I could thank you all personally, I've loved working with you it's been an absolute blast! Big love to Katie Thisleton, Greg James, Arielle Free, Ricky, Melvin & Charlie, Dean & Vicky, Clara Amfo, Matt & Molly, Scott Mills, Grimmy, all the rest of you fantastic lot, and of course my partner in crime Vick Hope…I'll miss being on air with you every day. 'MOST IMPORTANTLY the biggest of thank yous to the fantastic listeners who have been really generous and always made me feel welcome, your kind words & messages have been so lovely, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Thankful for all the support from his listeners, Jordan – who also hosts the Help I Sexted My Boss podcast – took to Instagram to thank his 834,000 followers for their positive reaction 'I'll be back soon, and can't wait to see you all again.' But not all fans were left happy after the announcement, as some fled to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their upset. One penned: 'Why do the good ones always leave?' 'Really hope this was your decision @jordannorth1 and that it means bigger things for you - we love you and will miss you v much xx.' He now co-hosts the Capital Breakfast show on Capital FM alongside Chris Stark and Sian Welby.
