Somerset journalist celebrates 72 years working in the industry

Tony James works freelance for the West Somerset Free Press

An 88-year-old journalist is celebrating more than seven decades in the industry.

Tony James, who currently works at the West Somerset Free Press, is thought to be the oldest working journalist in the country. He has worked on Fleet Street and around the world.

In summer 2023, he tried retiring, but returned to his career after a week out of boredom.

He said: "It's a disease that I've got. It'll die when I die."

Mr James estimates that he has written more than 40 million words during his time as a journalist.

Tony James (right) interviewing Dr Eric Robinson, a geologist

When he was nine Mr James took his first steps into his career when he was gifted an editor's toy set, instead of the fireman set he had asked for.

"I was very disappointed because I didn't want it at all," he said.

Despite this, he worked with a friend to produce a pretend newspaper, called My Wartime and Family News.

His teacher later noticed his talent for English and encouraged him to consider a career in writing, which led to Mr James securing a job as a junior journalist at the Derby Evening Telegraph.

Tony James with BBC journalist, Kate Adie

After that, his work took him to Canada, Jamaica, and then to Fleet Street, where he worked for the Press Association as a deputy editor.

He then moved to the Reuters agency as the deputy news editor of the UK desk.

Later, Mr James began working as a freelancer, specialising in business, franchising, maritime history, true crime and sport.

Tony James pictured in 1958, when he was working as the agricultural correspondent for the Derby Evening Telegraph

He said he wrote for many magazines and newspapers around the world and has also written more than 15 books, some as a ghost writer.

"[Journalism] is a very odd thing. It's a compulsion to do it, to do it well and to put out stories that people aren't going to know about.

"We do try and reveal things that are in the public interest and we try and do it well.

Tony James (left) interviewing sheep farmer Gerald Down

"I like doing it. I like turning in good work and doing a good job. I will do it until it's done and I can't do it halfway," he said.

Mr James is aiming to write an autobiography detailing his life in the industry.

"At the moment, there's no reason for me to stop. I can see, walk about, speak to people and hear," he said.

"One day I'm going to have to say that's enough - but I'll just go on as I am.

"I'm a sort of fossil left from an extinct species."