Michael Watts (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Watts
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| Born | 18 October 1938 Nottinghamshire
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| Died | 5 March 2018 (aged 79) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Nottingham High School |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 1955 – 2018 |
Michael Watts (born October 18, 1938 – died March 5, 2018) was a British journalist and radio presenter. He was most famous for his newspaper column called 'Inspector Watts'. This column appeared in the Sunday Express and other magazines for over 35 years!
Contents
A Career in Journalism
Michael Watts was born in Nottinghamshire and went to Nottingham High School. He started his journalism career very young, at just 16 years old. His first job was as a reporter for the Nottingham Evening News.
After four years there, he moved to London. He worked for a TV magazine called The Viewer. In 1960, he joined the Sunday Express newspaper. At the Sunday Express, he had many different jobs. He helped with the gossip column and was a deputy editor. He also started a popular daily section called Town Talk.
The "Inspector Watts" Column
In 1969, Michael Watts began his own column, The World of Michael Watts. This column was about helping people with consumer problems. It also included funny stories and comments on society.
A fun part of his column was the "Great Corny Joke Contest." Readers would send in their silliest jokes. The prize was a "Crisp Oncer," which was a crisp, new one-pound note. Michael Watts called it "the meanest prize in Fleet Street" because it was only £1! Even when pound coins replaced notes, he bought hundreds of old pound notes from a bank so he could keep giving out the "Crisp Oncer" prize.
Because he helped readers solve their problems with companies and rules, Michael Watts became known as "Inspector Watts." His column was very popular and ran for 22 years in the Sunday Express.
Where Else "Inspector Watts" Appeared
After leaving the Sunday Express, Michael Watts started his column again. It appeared in the London Evening News and later in Saga magazine. In 1989, the Sunday Express asked him to bring "Inspector Watts" back to their paper, which he did until 1991.
His column was often talked about by other newspapers and magazines. Besides Saga, the column also ran in the Westminster Review for five years. From 2002 to 2005, it was in Active Life magazine. He kept giving out those "Crisp Oncers" too!
In his later years, Michael Watts worked as a freelance journalist. He passed away on March 5, 2018.
Radio Work
Michael Watts also worked in radio. For BBC Radio 4, he had regular segments about consumer issues on a show called Up To The Hour. He also presented shows like The Weekly World and News Stand. He did a lot of work for LBC radio station as well.
Awards and Recognition
The Michael Watts column was recognized for its great work. It won the Consumer Writers' Award two times. First in 1978, and then again in 1986.
Books Written
Michael Watts also wrote a book! It was called I Say! I Say! Great Britain’s Best Corny Jokes and the Debatable Wit and Wisdom of Michael Watts. It was published in 1971 by Sidgwick & Jackson.
