Tributes paid following sudden death of “brilliant” journalist Pete Magill

TRIBUTES are being paid to “determined”, “tenacious” and “brilliant” journalist Pete Magill from Warrington, who has died suddenly aged just 49.

A stalwart of the regional media, Pete Magill worked across numerous news outlets. He began in Warrington, working for Orbit News, publisher of Warrington Worldwide, before moving to the Warrington Guardian, then to newspapers in Oldham, Burnley and East Lancashire. Most recently, Pete was promoted to Head of Print for the North West and North Wales for Newsquest and managed the print edition of the Lancashire Telegraph and sister titles such as the Bury Times.

Pete was a hugely respected colleague, renowned for his work ethic, never shying away from covering council meetings late into the night, trawling agendas for the hidden stories, and keeping the closest eye on criminal court listings.
A huge Warrington Wolves fan, he followed his club through good times and bad with his loyal rugby crew. He loved to travel, for work and pleasure, with his passport being stamped in locations as varied as America, Australia and Israel.
His passion for the job was endless and he willingly shared his knowledge. One former Warrington Guardian colleague, Suzanne Elsworth, said: “Pete was the one who took me to court in my first weeks as a news reporter when I was petrified about ending up in the dock rather than on the press bench. He had contacts everywhere, building up trusted relationships over many years and always being that ‘critical friend’ who held the authorities to account, sharing their good news but seeking out the truth when things went bad.
“As our careers progressed, we stayed great mates, even when we were competing for the same promotion. He was always there when I’d ask for a cheesy pun or random headline if I ran out of ideas. Despite living far apart, we’d meet for good food and even better chat when our paths could cross.
“I can’t believe I’m talking about Pete in the past tense. He was devoted to his job, the rugby, a proper pint of real ale, and to his family. I can’t believe we will never share any more late-night gossipy texts, or have the request for my address – the one thing he never seemed to jot down in his contacts book – ahead of the annual Christmas card exchange. We’re raising a glass of questionably-flavoured craft beer to you Pete. You will be missed.”

Gareth Dunning, Warrington Guardian deputy editor, took over as news editor from Pete more than 20 years ago. He said: “Pete and I became good friends when I started at the Academy. He would pass on his knowledge of Warrington, and his thirst for news.
“Long before the days of 24-hour news, Pete would be out at 11 pm if he heard about a story. You could drop Pete into a town centre anywhere in the UK and within an hour he would have had four page leads and a splash.
“He lived and breathed news. Tales of him sleeping in the Crewe office after deadline are legendary.
“After leaving Warrington, he wrote a much-loved Podium column in the Warrington Guardian which had those in authority shaking in their boots. Yet he kept the respect of everyone, even when being critical.
“He came and worked in our office a couple of weeks back. He was looking forward to Wembley, we exchanged glances of bemusement as we heard young reporters discuss Charlie XCX and Tiktok.
“He never changed and it is hard to think I won’t see him in the newsroom again.”
Pete Magill attended Thomas Boteler High School in Warrington and, after a short apprenticeship on a local paper, began his career at Orbit News with its founders David and Gary Skentelbery.
Gary said: “To hear that a former colleague who started as your office junior has died so suddenly and young is heart-breaking. On the one hand, you have my father who is still working aged 87 who trained us both and then Pete taken from us so young. I can’t even begin to think what his family must be feeling at this time.
“Although Pete left us to join the Warrington Guardian as we embarked on our own journey with Warrington Worldwide, we always kept in touch with a friendly rivalry.
“Pete was never afraid to express his opinion and was one of the most hard-working determined journalists I have ever met.”
Jon Dillon, ex-Lancashire Telegraph news editor and friend of Pete, said: “If there was one word that sums Pete up – workaholic. He loved digging out stories from the most obscure places. He even managed to find out the Pope was a Burnley fan and helped his colleague Tyrone Marshall expose the future King as a Clarets fan too!
“He loved taking young reporters under his wing and passing on his years of experience. He coached many reporters who have since gone on to work for national newspapers and broadcasters. But his passion was local news as he was a dyed-in-the-wool print man.”
Roger Airey, Head of Production for the North at Newsquest, added: “Pete Magill was a tenacious, brilliant reporter with the ability to turn the most complex strands of information into an easily intelligible story expressed with the fewest words possible – a skill only the best journalists possess.”
A funeral date has yet to be announced.