Reporter Sue was expert on politics and showbusiness

A Gornal girl, she started her career in journalism with the Express & Star in the West Midlands before transferring to the London Office in the early seventies for a six-month secondment. Sue quickly took to the capital and the six months turned into more than 20 years.

Sue was a general reporter initially, covering major stories including the scandal surrounding Walsall MP and government minister John Stonehouse, who faked his own disappearance and death, the Birmingham Six trial, the Falklands War and the Brighton bombing.

She later found her niche in showbusiness, interviewing stars including Paul McCartney, Julia Roberts, Jack Nicholson, Jack Lemmon, Anthony Hopkins, Kirk Douglas and many more. Perhaps being on the same journalist training course in Harlow, Essex, as Cockney Rebel’s Steve Harley rubbed off on her.

After leaving the Midland News Association, Sue became a freelance, contributing to Film Focus magazine and working for the BBC Press Office.

Away from writing, throughout the early 1990s, she was a significant figure in the British film industry as chairwoman – or Madam Chair as she preferred to be called – of the Guild of Regional Film Writers.

Ex-London editor, John Hipwood, said: “Sue was a classic all-rounder, equally comfortable interviewing politicians and film stars. When terrorist bombs were going off in London, she would be the first out of the door with pen and notebook in hand. She was a delightful friend and colleague and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”