Mirror’s Oliver Holt to replace Patrick Collins as chief sports writer for Mail on Sunday

Oliver Holt (pictured) is leaving the Daily Mirror to join The Mail on Sunday as chief sports writer.

Currently chief sports writer at the Mirror, Holt will be replacing Patrick Collins, who last month announced that he would be retiring in January after 32 years at the title.

Holt said: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for The Mail on Sunday.

"It's a paper and a group that still prides itself on investing in journalism and I'm looking forward to attempting to repay their faith.

“Taking over from someone as admired and respected as Patrick Collins is a daunting prospect but I've never lost sight of how lucky I am to be in this profession so I'm going to make sure that it's fun trying.”

Alison Kervin, Mail on Sunday sports editor, said: "He's a confident and engaging writer and a brave and outspoken columnist.

"Replacing Patrick Collins was never going to be the easiest job in the world, but in Oliver Holt we've got the best sports writer on Fleet Street and we have lots of plans for great stories and powerful columns."

Holt is the second staff member announced to be leaving the Mirror’s sports department in recent weeks, with chief football writer Martin Lipton reported by the Sports Journalists' Association to be moving to The Sun as deputy sports editor.

Before joining the Mirror in 2002 as chief sports writer, Holt worked at the Liverpool Echo and was motor racing correspondent, chief football correspondent and then chief sports writer at The Times.

Mail on Sunday editor Geordie Greig said: “Oliver Holt is the stand-out sports journalist on Fleet Street and I’m delighted that he’s joining the sports department to make it even stronger in 2015.”

He will also be writing for MailOnline Sport. Head of sport Lee Clayton said: “It is a brilliant coup for the paper and adds to our stable of powerhouse talent published on MailOnline. We look forward to Ollie contributing to our success.”