In reality he not only built a huge media empire with his money, his risk, but he saved the newspaper industry by smashing the out of control unions. Newspapers which will be full of yards of negative comment.  

There has never been a builder like him – from newspapers, magazines to TV , radio and subscription. You like the Premier League? The richest, most watched league in the world? One man – Murdoch – made it possible. And it nearly killed him. That’s a market mover. Genius.

What people don’t know is his work ethic. Blessed with only needing 5 hours sleep max a night, he was first to work, last to leave.   But enough about Rupert. Let’s talk about me.

Manchester United:  Kelvin MacKenzie, Rupert’s most successful Editor ever by some distance, has sent me to Manchester as Northern Editor. No pay rise,no ceremonial sword or epaulettes, just added bollockings. The big story was Michael Knighton, the keepy-uppy man, trying to buy United. Wow, that’s a once in a lifetime event.  Surely.

Michael soon makes contact with me. He can’t get the deal over the line, I suggest taking it to Rupert. Within days back comes a “thanks, no thanks” message from America.  He had unshackled from the unions but SKY was bleeding him dry.  What an opportunity lost, when he came back to the table some few years later with a £600M+ bid  Prime Minister Blair (who knighted Alex Ferguson) turned him down. Fan power didn’t want Murdoch. Bet they’re happy now with the Glazers, of course they are.  Muppets.

Britain’s Most Wanted:  You meet all sorts in this game. So you know the various heads of the mafia as well as tea with The Queen. Britian’s most wanted has gone over the prison wall, armed detectives are hunting him, will this all end in a blood bath. This needs a hero.  

We get an anonymous call. He wants to come in but is terrified the cops will gun him down. I’ve got nothing on, why don’t I go and arrest him. Just be a help generally.  Rupert is passing by some months later.  There on the wall. The legend – I SURRENDER TO THE SUN.  “Hmm, this is interesting Steve”. Understatement Rupe, the cop pulling his coat tight was tooled up just in case.  The great man’s mind is grinding, I can hear it. “I hope this wasn’t any of… your… chequebook journalism Steve”. I’ve got him: ”No Rupert. Cash”.   For a nano-second, just a nano second of freeze. Then he gets the joke. I’m sure he did.  Kelvin phones me later :”You should be f***ing sacked, your fu**ing language at dinner. Anyway, I couldn’t make Rupert out. It was either ‘we’ve got the right pair running things’ or ‘we’ve got a right pair’.  When I find out you’re either a hero or fired”.  HR. Pah. Who needs them.  

The bollocking:  Dull day, one of the more stupid reporters from The Glasgow Herald phones with a non-story that Rupert Murdoch is buying Rangers. I’m Scottish Editor of The Sun where we are piling on circulation like buns to elephants.  Let’s have some harmless fun – which was my first mistake. I throw in a line that he is also buying Partick Thistle as a feeder club – all off the record. Of course it was. I definitely won’t be quoted. Next day’s Herald Page 1 – with me quoted everywhere as Rupert’s spokesman. Gulp. Fek. I’m roadkill. Nah. I’ll be fine. Rupert will never read it. Or so my “mates” assure me. Phew.

Three weeks later his number 2 Bill O’Neill phones from New York. Heavy Aussie drawl, I can see his Navaho Indian jewellery in my mind. What a man, fair but hard as nails. Clearly he is phoning me to hand out a hero-gramme for all my achievements.  “This , ermmm,  Partick Thistle thing Steve. Rupert gets the joke. (long pause..) He would just like to be part of it next time. OK Steve?”.  Click, line dead. All said deadly quiet, never got above menacing. Gulp.  Squeaky bum time.  Those quiet ones -they’re the ones that stay with you.

But that was then. The other more intellectual types can write their yards on Rupert. When he said they were in it for the long haul, they meant it. I never knew hard work till I went there. He nearly lost it all, built it back bigger than ever. He has given careers to thousands round the world. Families, paid mortgages. I would love to see his whole career up on a wall, deal by deal, Rupert talking us through them all.  My biggest mistake was not touting myself to work in his inner office.  I am proud to have worked for him.

Steve Sampson is a former Assistant, Northern and Scottish Editor of  The Sun newspaper, and a Director of Trinity Mirror publications. He was a launch presenter of Radio5 Live, founder of First Press Publishing and contributes to the BBC. He is an investor/owner across a series of digital initiatives, and a media adviser. He lists “Diplomacy” as a speciality.