Tributes paid to Weymouth-born 'silver fox' Rob Gibson

Rob Gibson, who has died aged 74, started out as a tea boy on the Dorset Evening Echo and worked his way up to become political editor of the Daily Express.

He was said to have been one of the most talented tabloid journalists of his generation.

Rob Gibson - the 'silver fox' of Fleet Street

Born in Weymouth on October 19, 1947, Rob moved away from the town as he pursued his career but frequently returned to visit his family and friends in the area.

He is survived by his wife Ann, sons James and Alexander, daughter, Katie and grandson Edward.

Following his time on the Dorset Evening Echo, Rob worked for the Bristol Evening Post and the Western Daily Press in Cardiff. He arrived in Fleet Street as a reporter in the seventies first working for Fleet Street News Agency, and then the Press Association.

Rob Gibson holding his grandson Edward

His big break came when he joined the new left-leaning tabloid the Daily Star - which by the early eighties sold 1.5 million copies a day.

Rob’s reporting was said to be a part of its success - his grey hair was neat, the smart navy suit and tie slightly understated; the manner calm and empathetic.

Under editor Lloyd Turner, Rob’s career flourished as he covered most major news stories at home and abroad including the Iranian revolution, the trial of Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe, the death of Princess Grace of Monaco and the royal wedding.

He also wrote a book on Elvis Presley: “Elvis: A King Forever.”

The late eighties saw him move to Westminster first as the Daily Star’s political correspondent, then as political editor of the Daily Express.

Leaving the Express in the early nineties, Rob stayed at the Commons until 2016 having founded Gallery News, a wire service for organisations needing to keep abreast of Westminster.

For 2006 he was voted chairman of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, the body which represents the 300 journalists working at Westminster.

Rob also leaves sisters Kathleen Desmond and Denise Marner of Weymouth and Marion Whale of Stoke-on-Trent.

Rob had been ill since 2016, causing him to be increasingly housebound, but he bore his difficulties with his usual phlegmatic stoicism.

A devoted family man, Rob doted on his little grandson Edward, who he looked after twice a week and with whom he spent a “lovely day” the day before he passed away.