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Tributes paid to former EADT and Star editor

Former EADT and Evening Star editor Ken Rice has died at the age of 73.

Ken, who was an outstanding cricketer in his youth and played for Essex Second XI alongside future England captain Keith Fletcher, joined the EADT in 1962 as a sports reporter after starting his journalistic career with the East Essex Gazette in Clacton-on-Sea.

He moved through the journalistic ranks to become firstly editor of the Suffolk Mercury Series, then the Evening Star, and finally the EADT.

During Ken’s ten years as EADT editor, the paper’s circulation climbed to record highs. He spent the final years of his career returning to his roots as a sports reporter.

Ken was one of only eight EADT editors in the paper’s 140 year history.

Terry Hunt, current editor of Archant’s EADT, said: "Ken was an outstanding editor, who had an intuitive understanding of his readers and produced a newspaper which they loved. He was also an incredibly nice guy.

"Even today, more than 20 years since he retired from editorship, Ken's influence can still be seen in the EADT, especially in its thoughtfulness, balance and avoidance of sensationalism.”

Ken was leaves a widow, Liz, to whom he was married for more than 50 years, and four grown-up children.

Funeral details are still to be announced.