Showbiz editor at the Sunday Mercury Charlotte Ward is leaving the regional press to join Heat as deputy news editor and fulfil her ambition of working full time on a national showbiz desk.
Ward joined the Sunday Mercury in Birmingham three years ago, setting up her own gossip column Kiss & Tell in July last year.
She has a news and features background, having worked for the Mercury Press Agency and Caters News Agency, and has freelanced for national publications including Bella and The Sun.
Heat editor Mark Frith said: “We chose Charlotte because she is sharp and has a track record of bringing in hard news stories.”
By Sarah Lagan
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