Kenny Macintyre | |
Birth Date: | 19 July 1944 |
Birth Place: | Oban |
Death Place: | Glasgow |
Nationality: | British |
Occupation: | Political journalist |
Kenny Macintyre (19 July 1944 – 30 May 1999) was a Scottish political journalist. Born in Oban, he spent most of his life on Mull, and became a journalist in his 30s. He was known for his work ethic and sense of humour.[1] He was Political and Industrial Correspondent for BBC Scotland for 10 years and was also a keen sportsman. He was a son of Angus Macintyre, a poet[2] and bank manager.[3] Before he entered journalism he was a bank clerk, and ran a gift shop and a building business.[2] He was the father of Colin MacIntyre, the musician, and Kenny Macintyre who is also a BBC journalist.[4] During his career as a journalist, he charmed John Major into giving him an interview by telling him that if he refused, Chelsea F.C. would be defeated.[1] He ambushed Margaret Thatcher by hiding in a hotel cupboard to get an interview with her.[2] He refused an OBE.[5] He died of a heart attack while jogging in Glasgow.[6] Then-prime minister Tony Blair called him "an institution". He also received eulogies from Donald Dewar, Charles Kennedy, Gordon Brown, George Robertson, Alex Salmond, Michael Forsyth and Tam Dalyell.[2] He was buried at Taynuilt with a mobile phone.[5]