Larry Lamb

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For the actor, see Larry Lamb (actor)

Sir Albert Lamb, commonly known as Larry Lamb (July 15, 1929May 19, 2000) was a British newspaper editor. He was editor of The Sun from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1975 to 1981, and also of the Daily Express from 1983 to 1986. Lamb was knighted in 1980 on the recommendation of Margaret Thatcher, whose electoral success had arguably been helped by The Sun's coverage of the industrial strife under the previous Labour government.

Lamb was educated at Rastrick Grammar School. He was northern editor of the Daily Mail in Manchester from 1968 until recruited by Rupert Murdoch to take over the Sun which he had just bought from IPC. Lamb pioneered the Sun's populist style, and his contribution included applying the term 'Winter of Discontent' to the series of strikes over the winter of 1978-79. He was Deputy Chairman of News Group from 1979 but was transferred to the Western Mail in Australia in 1981, and edited The Australian in 1982. He left the News Group in 1983 to work for the Daily Express, and after standing down in 1986 set up his own public relations company, Larry Lamb Associates.

His nickname was inspired by the Children's Hour character Larry the Lamb. After he received his knighthood, Private Eye magazine usually referred to him as "Sir Larrold Lamb."

Preceded by
Christopher Ward
Editor of The Daily Express
1983 - 1986
Succeeded by
Sir Nicholas Lloyd
Preceded by
Dick Dinsdale
Editor of The Sun
1969 - 1972
Succeeded by
Bernard Shrimsley
Preceded by
Bernard Shrimsley
Editor of The Sun
1975 - 1981
Succeeded by
Kelvin MacKenzie
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