I am very sorry to tell you that our friend and colleague Peter Durrant has died. You may know that Peter has not been well for some time and has been in and out of hospital in recent years.

Despite this he has continued to be an enthusiastic supporter of the Press Club and attended functions whenever he could.

Peter has been one of the longest serving members of the club as a member and board director, including in the role of club secretary. He was popular across other organisations too and was well known for his after dinner speeches “by the Gentleman of Fleet Street”.

Peter has been hugely supportive to me personally during my chairmanship.

We will miss Peter’s always cheerful demeanour and can-do enthusiasm for the Press Club.

Doug Wills, Chairman, London Press Club

Photo caption: In 2017, the Press Club presented Peter (pictured above, second left) with a commemorative tankard to mark his many years of service to the Club