• IN the early 1990s, I subbed the letters and culture pages with Eric Gordon part-time, also writing reviews and occasional special features, (Eric Gordon: Tributes to Camden’s great chronicler as founder and editor of CNJ dies at 89).

He was a brilliant editor, and always a pleasure to work with.

I remember the Ralph Steadman illustration story clearly, (‘Step into my office’, April 15). John Wilson nearly has it right.

However, it wasn’t Ralph Steadman’s studio but a venerable ink and nib shop at the northern end of Drury that was closing down. The rent had shot up (had been “gentrified”) and Eric (and Ralph!) were incensed…

On a more personal, and perhaps surprising note, I don’t know how many knew this but Eric was a great admirer of Diana, Princess of Wales. And, of course, being Eric, he’d got to know her personally.

During his Beijing sojourn in the 1960s he’d had a bit of a chest infection that had gone untreated. So when the problem caught up with him in later life he sought treatment at the AcuMedic Chinese Medical Centre in Camden High Street.

He attended early every Saturday morning for some time. As did Di (he was too much of a gentleman to enquire about her ailment…).

Having been sworn to secrecy by her security people, he likewise swore me to secrecy as he reported back each week on their encounters.

For all his communism, he was definitely a bit star struck (“She really is a lovely young lady, Patrick”): the Little Boy and the Princess. They’d obviously got on very well. But then, who could resist Eric?

PATRICK NOTHER
St Leonards-on-Sea