BROADCASTER and independence campaigner Colin Bell has died at the age of 83.
The former journalist and writer hosted discussion programmes on BBC Radio Scotland between the mid-1980s and the early 2000s.
A passionate nationalist, he held office in the SNP and contested Edinburgh West constituency and the North East European constituency in the 1970s.
The brodacaster was born in London in 1938. He attended St Paul’s school and won scholarships to Cambridge, where he graduated with a starred first. A member of the Apostles, he went on to teach economic history at King's College.
He juggled journalism with academia, writing for Fleet Street papers in the 1960s and 1970s, before being recruited to the Scotsman to work alongside Neal Ascherson. From there he wrote for the Sunday Mail before launching the mid-afternoon Taking Issue programme on BBC Radio Scotland.
Sorry to hear of the death today of Colin Bell - respected journalist , broadcaster , writer and nationalist who (like @AlexSalmond & myself) was @theSNP Publicity Convener in very different times. His work helped all of us get closer to the goal….
— Michael Russell (@Feorlean) October 9, 2021
From an ex-pat Scottish family, he became interested in nationalism in the 1970s. He held the post of convener for publicity in the SNP and contested the Westminster seat of Edinburgh West and the European Parliament seat of the North East of Scotland in 1979.
He is survived by his wife Caroline ‘Rose’ Bell and his four children Rachel, Catherine, Alex and Georgina and six grandchildren.
Michael Russell was among those to pay tribute. The SNP president tweeted: “Sorry to hear of the death today of Colin Bell - respected journalist , broadcaster , writer and nationalist who (like @AlexSalmond & myself) was @theSNP Publicity Convener in very different times. His work helped all of us get closer to the goal…”
Sky News journalist James Matthews added: “Very sorry to hear of the death of the broadcaster, journalist & academic Colin Bell. One of Scotland’s finest who worked for BBC Scotland, Fleet Street titles, The Scotsman & Sunday Mail. Also taught economic history at Kings College, Cambridge. Condolences to his family.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel