Tom Hibbert

Tom Hibbert (28 May 1952 – 28 August 2011) In the mid 1990s, he wrote the "Pendennis" column for the Observer newspaper.

Childhood and early years Hibbert was the second of three children born to author and historian Christopher Hibbert and his wife Anne (née Piggford). With his siblings James and Kate, he grew up in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. He was the product of a happy home. According to The Guardians obituary of his father, Christopher Hibbert delighted in "taking his children to appallingly unsuitable films" such as Carry On comedies.

He attended Leighton Park School, a Quaker establishment, in Reading, Berkshire, and a local grammar school. After spending a term at Leeds University, he gave up education and attempted to forge a career as a rock musician before turning to journalism. Between 1982 and 1984, he contributed to The History of Rock.

In 1983, he joined the staff of Smash Hits. In the description of his editor, Mark Ellen: "[Hibbert] helped invent a cartoon fantasy world in which everyone interviewed seemed to exhibit the same slapstick characteristics. All his subjects – Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Bucks Fizz, John Lydon – were delightfully over-exaggerated, as mischievous and eccentric as their interrogator." and "Horrible Headband" for Mark Knopfler. Hibbert later said: "It sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet but yes, I did [invent Smash Hits lingo]. Before I got there in 1983 there was none of that."

The success of Smash Hits encouraged the British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, to sit for an interview with Hibbert in the lead-up to the 1987 general election.

In the late 1980s, Hibbert followed Ellen to Q. Although the magazine was aimed at an older age group and more respectful to established rock stars, Hibbert's contributions retained an element of irreverence. His interviews in the "Who the Hell …?" series led to him travelling around the world. Jeremy Beadle, Jeffrey Archer, Robert Maxwell, Samantha Fox, Keith Floyd, Bernard Manning and David Mellor. In the early 1990s, Hibbert's interviews also appeared in the American magazine Details. He subsequently contributed to Mojo, another Emap title edited by Ellen, from 1993 onwards.

Illness and death In 1997, Hibbert was hospitalised in Hammersmith, where he was found to be suffering from pneumonia and acute pancreatitis. Following a three-month stay in intensive care, he was unable to return to work.

He died in August 2011 at the age of 59 from complications related to his diabetes condition. He was survived by his wife, Allyce.