TRIBUTES have been pouring in after the former Comet news editor lost his battle with cancer last night (Tuesday).

John Adams, who had worked for Archant for 46 years before retiring earlier this year, was diagnosed with cancer in November 2010.

News of his death has prompted many people within the community to pay tribute to him.

Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland said: “My thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time and many of us will mourn him locally. “John was a real inspiration with his dedication to the community and always brought a great sense of humour to his work. I and many others will miss him as one of the great local journalists.”

North East Hertfordshire MP Oliver Heald said: “I am very sorry to hear about John, who was an old friend and a very fine journalist. He always wrote a very truthful and well honed story and was a marvellous news editor for the Comet. He will be missed by all his friends in Comet country. He battled bravely against his illness for some years and everybody admired his courage. I send my very best wishes to his family and will be thinking of them at this sad time.”

Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor said: “He’s made a huge contribution to making our local media a real feature of the community and I think it’s terribly sad that now he’s just taken a step back for a well-earned rest and has died so suddenly.”

Former colleague Phil Morey said: “John Adams was the most remarkable of men – able to keep his head in the pressured environment of a newsroom at deadline, unflappable and infinitely dependable, inspiring and caring.

“He was a man out of the very top drawer, a true gentleman, and a consummate journalist. He will be sorely missed.”

Former colleague Alan Millard added: “John was a colleague of mine for 40 years until I retired in 2009. During that time we enjoyed working together on countless occasions, covering many tragic and happy events over the years, including numerous royal visits and even a trip to Switzerland to cover It’s a Knockout.

“We had a great time together, enjoying every aspect of journalism and the work involved in producing a newspaper.

“John was a very popular and competent journalist who will be sadly missed by us all. My thoughts go out to his widow Judy and family.”

The former owner of David’s Bookshop in Letchworth GC, William Armitage, said: “He was a extremely loyal to the area, particular when there were so many changes in the newspaper industry. He had a considerable wealth of knowledge of the area. As a friend my earlier memories of him was him browsing through second hand records and LPs. He was an avid collector of records and LPs.”