Wanderers fan and former trainee reporter named as Bolton News editor

Steve Thompson, a former trainee reporter for the newspaper, is now in the editor’s chair... and he couldn’t be more delighted.

The 40-year-old, from Sharples, is Bolton born and bred, and has had a number of roles at the newspaper over the last 12 years.

The former High Lawn County Primary School pupil, who even appeared in the Bolton Evening News as a youngster after entering his father into a ‘Super Dad’ competition, said he was humbled to get the job.

Steve started work at The Bolton News in 2008 and became the newspaper's politics correspondent ­in 2010. He also edited the paper's food and drink page and was later appointed news editor.

He left Bolton for a year-long stint at Media City in Salford ­—- working on Radio 5 Live and BBC Breakfast television ­­— before returning to edit this newspaper’s sister title the Lancashire Telegraph.

After a spell as senior audience and content editor across a number of titles, Steve will now act as regional editor for The Bolton News, as well as the Bury Times and Lancashire Telegraph.

He said: “This job is a dream come true for me. I’ve done pretty much every role going at the paper so to get this chance now, at such an important time for local news, is just very humbling.

“I’m a Bolton lad and a big Wanderers fan and I want to see this town thrive. I’ll be doing everything I can to support local businesses and champion the brilliant people and organisations working hard for the best for the borough.”

Steve, who worked under editor Ian Savage for a number of years, become well known in the newsroom for his regular appearances in the paper trying out various wacky challenges.

He added: “I always got the chance to report on the lighter side of life for the paper and I’m really grateful for the help and support of Ian over the years.

“He gave me my first job in journalism and always gave me the chance to try out different things.

“I will probably never live down the fact that I tried and failed to eat the world’s biggest breakfast ­— served in Bolton ­— but I also did all sorts of other things like dressing as a panto dame, eating tripe at Bolton’s oldest pub and many other weird and wonderful challenges.

“Hopefully I can bring back some of that sense of fun to the paper.

"We will of course continue to report on the issues which matter to people most ­— be that the goings on at the town hall, the latest on the coronavirus crisis in Bolton, or the latest cases in our town's courts.

"But we will ensure we keep a focus on the community and the people of Bolton. I strongly believe this brilliant newspaper, which has been around for more than 150 years, can be a real force for good in the town."