Charm, a sharp wit, and a wicked sense of humour can take you a long way as a journalist. Andy Nott, the former Manchester Evening News reporter, had all three in spades.
He was also a talented wordsmith, an astute collector of key contacts for getting the inside track on crime stories, and the vocalist in the MEN's band. He was unapologetically "old school" - embracing with gusto the necessity to "meet" cops and other suppliers of news tips in pubs and clubs across the city and beyond.
He, was the prince of a legendary cluster of MEN reporters who would hold court in The Abercrombie a backstreet boozer, when the paper lived on Deansgate, and later Scott Place. Having a ball was as imperative as landing that front page exclusive to him.
Dozens of tributes have been paid to Andy, 66, who died at Salford Royal Hospital, on Friday after suffering serious head injuries in a fall at his home in Handforth, Cheshire, a week earlier.
As well as looking after green new recruits entering the buzz, speed, and tough environment of the MEN newsroom his very presence often provided masterclass in how to nurture contacts, and speak on the phone with nous and calm news-gathering style. He was a crime reporter at the MEN for 18 years.
He could also be a loyal friend. Former MEN colleagues remember him with affection. Bernard Spilsbury, recalled: "So, sad. Andy had an unstoppable sense of humour and a personality that could charm the birds off the trees...and often did!"
Don Frame said: "The very best of men. Was fortunate to have worked and played with Notty for so long. Farewell old chum," and Adam Moss said: "Really sad to hear this. Apart from being a top notch journo Andy was always thorough gent. He taught me so much when I started at the MEN as a wet-behind-the-ears newbie in 1995."
Janine Watson posted: "Dear Andy...not just a delight to work with, but a joyous friend who taught me how to tip my glass at the exact angle to receive the most fizz and who helped check out potential boyfriends when I started dating again at the old age of 35. He once banned me outright from dating a dodgy guy I met in the gym."
Judy Gordon the former leader of the NUJ chapel at the MEN said she remembered a stressful meeting to discuss the latest run-in with management in the 1990s when Andy "started riffing on something completely left of field (it involved puppies is all I will say) and by the time the meeting started the whole committee was helpless with hysterics. 'Well you've gotta laugh haven't you' he said and we all wiped away the tears. He was a real gem"
Close friend, Alan Salter, posted: "He was one of my best friends. I didn't deserve him. RIP Notty." Neil Sowerby reflected the views of many with: "Charm personified, so much fun, and a proper, proper, reporter."
Bill Batchelor MEN staff photographer said: "Andy followed in the footsteps of another great crime reporter, Ken Drury, and perhaps they're both having a pint together in the Abercrombie pub in the sky," and Peter Maxwell Harris the MEN's highly regarded former health correspondent said: "Charming, personable, witty, and a first rate journalist - that's how I will always remember Andy."
Ex MEN reporter, Mikaela Sitford Howarth posted: "A lovely funny man and a great reporter. We were lucky to have known him, " and writer, Rachel Pugh, said: "I spent many hours in the MEN canteen with him being regaled with stories of police and criminals accompanied by much impish laughter ...as others have said, old school."
A staunch Manchester United fan, he and his band made up of two other MEN reporters, and a friend, played at Christmas parties held for the paper at The Reds' Executive Suite. Paul Taylor, an ex MEN writer, who also played in the band said: "The last time I saw Andy we were talking about putting the band back together, which sadly never happened. Andy first joined musical forces with Don Frame and me to play at a MEN Christmas party. As Thin Ice we went on to play gigs in Manchester, Cheshire, and North Wales, over the course of several years.
"We even went to a Manchester recording studio to cut an album for distribution among friends and family. Andy was a born performer - not just a gifted and expressive singer but also the kind of charismatic rabble-rouser any band would want for their front man."
Dave Thomas, a former MEN colleague said: "He was such a live wire...and a great singer. He performed Neil Diamond songs better than Neil Diamond. Excellent reporter too."
Ian Marrow, a former MEN reporter, said: "Andy was the cement that held all of us together following the redundancies that hit the MEN in the early part of the 21 st century. If there was a get together to be organised, or a Christmas bash, Andy was the one who invariably organised it, often at old haunts like the Rain Bar or the Abercrombie. He was always available for a drink and a chat.
"The number of tributes left to Andy on the MEN Friends page, from old hacks like me to the new, younger journalists who came after us, are a testament to the respect in which Andy was held, both as a great journalist and as a kind and generous friend. We will all miss him."
Reporting was in Andy's DNA. His father, Jack, was a highly-rated reporter for the News of the World, based in Manchester. Andy did shifts for the Daily Mail in London, and worked for the Preston and Huyton Reporter, and the Birmingham Post before joining the MEN. After leaving the paper in 2005 Andy worked for Brief - the in-house magazine for Greater Manchester Police. He also wrote a well-received book "Cause of Death" with Home Office pathologist, Dr Geoffrey Garrett.
Together with MEN political writer, Ray King, he also wrote a second book "Detonation. The Rebirth of a City" which was published to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the 1996 IRA bombing of Manchester. Ray said: "He was a great journalist, very good friend and an utterly charming man."
Andy's sister, Liz, said: "All I can say about Andrew is that he was the best brother anybody could have had and he will be missed so very much by all his family and friends."
On a personal note when I was knocking on heaven's door in 2012 Andy drove to our house in his big yellow pick up truck and spent two hours with me, imploring me to survive, in his authentically upbeat way. Andrew Nott, a fine journalist, and a good man.
