Michael Deacon (journalist)

For other people with the same name, see Michael Deacon (disambiguation). For the fictional journalist, see The Echo (novel).

Michael Deacon (born 1980)[1] is a British political journalist and broadcaster, who made his name writing satirical parliamentary sketches for The Daily Telegraph.[2]

After graduating from Sheffield University (BA), Deacon worked for the lads' magazine Zoo Weekly before joining The Daily Telegraph as a culture writer. He then replaced Andrew Gimson in 2011 as the newspaper's parliamentary sketch writer, which prompted an unsuccessful legal case by Gimson who alleged being the victim of age discrimination.[3][4][5] Deacon was promoted columnist and assistant editor at The Daily Telegraph, where parliamentary sketch writing has devolved upon Madeline Grant and Tim Stanley.[6]

Previously The Daily Telegraph's television critic, Deacon was shortlisted for the 2014 British Press Awards "Broadcast Columnist of the Year"[7] and "Critic of the Year",[8] losing out to Mark Steel and David Sexton[9] respectively.[10] He has also appeared on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz.

Deacon lives with his wife and family at Windmill Hill in Gravesend, Kent.[11]

  1. ^ Michael Deacon, "One in four men is obese – and it looks like I'm the one", Daily Telegraph, 28 December 2010, accessed 29 March 2015
  2. ^ "Michael Deacon". Archived from the original on 1 May 2010.
  3. ^ Osley, Richard (26 July 2012). "Daily Telegraph journalist, Andrew Gimson, loses 'age bias' battle". Camden New Journal.
  4. ^ Chakelian, Anoosh (8 May 2013). "Sick and satired of politicians?". Total Politics. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Daily Telegraph editor 'tried to force sketchwriter into inferior role'". the Guardian. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Madeline Grant". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  7. ^ Baird, Dugald (9 February 2015). "Press Awards: Times and Daily Mail lead nominations". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "Critic of the Year: Shortlist for 2014". The Press Awards. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  9. ^ "www.themanbookerprize.com: David Sexton".
  10. ^ "Winners for 2014". The Press Awards. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Opinion". Archived from the original on 6 September 2009.