Bourke (inset) spent much of his early career dressed The Wharf’s mascot
Dan Bourke is leaving after two years as editor of award-winning weekly The Wharf in order to shift on the nationals.
Bourke, 26, started as a reporter on the paper five years ago after studying journalism at Cardiff. He spent much of his first year dressing up as the paper’s mascot, a canary, before moving up to the job of deputy editor for two years and then editor.
Two years ago The Wharf, which covers the Canary Wharf area of London, was named Press Gazette free regional newspaper of the year.
Bourke is succeeded by his deputy, Ann Stenhouse, 27, who came to the paper two years ago after editing Technology in Banking & Finance.
He said: “I’ve had a great time here.
From dressing up as the Canary to training with Britain’s first gay rugby team, it’s rarely been dull.”
Bourke left on a high note when the Wharf obtained an exclusive interview with alleged Windsor Castle intruder Michael Edwards Hammond.
Hammond was arrested on 17 May on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after being found in the private grounds of the royal residence and released on police bail.
When he came back to his West India Quay penthouse last week, after a period away, The Wharf and many of the national papers doorstepped him.
Wharf reporter Sam Lyon dropped a note through Hammond’s door and was the only reporter invited back for a full interview. Hammond revealed that he would call the Queen as a witness if he was brought to trial and had ended up in the Priory clinic since the episode.
Bourke said: “It’s another great exclusive for The Wharf. It shows the value of being trusted as a paper at the heart of the community – and in a community like this that means we get the inside track on some great stories.”
By Dominic Ponsford
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