Much-loved and respected former Sheffield Star and Telegraph journalist dies aged 86

Stuart Machin, of Handsworth, Sheffield, joined The Sheffield Telegraph as a reporter - with his career only briefly interrupted by a stint of national service with the RAF - before he became a sub-editor and eventually chief sub.

He went on to join The Sheffield Star as a sub-editor until retirement but never lost contact with colleagues and right up until his death he had been working on a feature for the magazine My Kind of Town recalling his early schooldays.

Peter Goodman, a former Assistant Editor of The Star, said: "Stuart, a lovely man, had immense talent as a journalist. An accomplished writer, he was also highly skilled in the field of page design and lay-out, ensuring that every story he handled was presented on the page as attractively and as powerfully, as possible, always with a catchy, readable headline.”

Stuart helped found what is dubbed The Rutland Club which includes many retired Telegraph and Star colleagues who meet monthly at The Rutland public house in Sheffield city centre and will no doubt be raising a glass in his honour.

Former Star Sports Editor Peter Markie reflected on how Stuart managed to be very popular when chief-subs are not always universally liked.

He said: “He was always the most popular and he was such a quiet character in a workplace where most were known for being loud.”

Despite, suffering with crippling shingles and latterly neuralgia, Stuart showed great dignity and never lost his sense of humour.

Peter Markie added: "Stuart handled his illness with great dignity and that summed him up best. He was dignity at large. A lovely man.”

The married father-of-two and grandfather was an avid reader and radio listener who loved sport particularly cricket, Sheffield United and boxing.

He became seriously ill overnight between Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21, and was taken by ambulance to the Northern General Hospital on Friday but never recovered.

He leaves a widow Lily, sons Ian and Andrew, grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

No funeral details have been formally released at this time.