This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Simon Hoggart dies aged 67
The journalist and wine writer Simon Hoggart has passed away at the age of 67 after a three year battle with cancer.
Although diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three years ago it was only in December last year that he was forced to stop writing his parliamentary sketch for The Guardian, something he had done for the last 20 years.
His final Saturday column appeared in the newspaper on 19 December. He did not let his illness become widely known.
As well writing for The Guardian and its Sunday paper The Observer on political matters, he had a long-standing column in the Spectator where he reviewed wine – food and drink being a life-long interest of his.
He wrote the extremely popular “Life’s too short to drink bad wine” and “A Long Lunch” as well as numerous books on politics and parliamentary life.
He also presented Radio 4’s “The News Quiz” for 10 years between 1996 and 2006.
Alan Rusbridger, editor of The Guardian, said of Hoggart: “Simon was a terrific reporter and columnist – and a great parliamentary sketch writer… He will be much missed by readers and his colleagues.”