Michael Cole is an English public relations expert, journalist and media personality.
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Cole qualified as a journalist and spent 27 years as a reporter, most notably on Anglia Television and as a correspondent for the BBC, with whom he won two Royal Television Society 'Best Home News Story' awards.[1]
He joined Harrods and House of Fraser group in 1988 and became Director of Public Affairs as well as holding a seat on the main board of the holding company and directorships of several subsidiary companies. [1] Cole became a well-known figure as the spokesman for Mohamed Al-Fayed during the 1990s, most notably in his long-running court case with Tiny Rowland[2] and the 'Cash-for-questions affair'.[3] Cole was also spokesman for Al-Fayed during the deaths of his son Dodi Al-Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales. Cole has since claimed that the couple had become engaged before their deaths.[4]
He left Harrods in 1998 to set up his own PR firm, Michael Cole & Company Limited.[1] He also presented his own tabloid talk show, The Michael Cole Show, on Living TV[1] and has appeared as a guest on Have I Got News For You. Although no longer directly employed by Mohammed Al-Fayed, Cole has continued to act as a spokesman on his behalf, notably during his legal battles over Princess Diana and his son.[5]
Away from his business interests, Cole is a supporter of Fulham F.C., a club currently owned by Mohamed Al-Fayed.[6] Cole is a director of the Craven Cottage club.[7]