Veteran Royal reporter James Whitaker loses cancer battle

VETERAN royal reporter James Whitaker has died after a battle with cancer. He was 71.

The former royal editor of the Daily Mirror was well known as a broadcaster and commentator.

Mirror editor Richard Wallace led tributes following Whitaker’s death this morning.

He said: “James was a true Fleet Street legend who became famous around the world as a Royal reporter.

“His colleagues often joked that at times he appeared grander than the royals themselves - which, of course, he loved.”

Among his many scoops over the years was the revelation that Diana, Princess of Wales, was suffering from an eating disorder.

Whitaker, known for his plummy voice, also had a stint as a royal correspondent for ITV1’s This Morning and was a competitor in Celebrity Fit Club, winning the 2004 series.

Wallace went on: “Despite the severity of his illness, he never complained or went in for self-pity, but insisted he had a life well lived.

“Our thoughts are with his loving family who - like us all - will miss him terribly.”

The Sun’s royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, who knew the reporter for many years, said today: “He was a great man and a brilliant reporter.”

Mirror columnist and author Tony Parsons paid tribute on Twitter: “Goodbye and RIP James Whitaker: Daily Mirror Royalist, Diana watcher, Fleet Street legend and a man of boundless generosity and enthusiasm.”