"Giant Of The Newsroom" And Wife Nelli killed

A former British newspaper editor and his wife have been killed in a road accident in Spain.

Brian Hitchen, 77, and Nelli Hitchen were struck by a car on Tuesday while crossing a road in Altea, on the country's east coast.

Friends of the couple witnessed the accident.

Mr Hitchen was editor of the Daily Star from 1987 to 1994 and sister publication the Sunday Express in 1995.

He had also spent time working at the Daily Mirror and the National Enquirer in the US.

A spokeswoman for Northern and Shell, the Daily Express and Daily Star's parent company, said: "Brian was taken to a hospital in a very grave condition and doctors were not able to save him.

"Nelli very sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with their family at this time."

Northern and Shell digital content director Gareth Morgan paid tribute to Mr Hitchen, saying: "He gave me my break on Fleet Street 20 years ago.

"He was a giant of the newsroom and knew what everyone was doing. He cared about everyone on the paper and he cared about journalism to the day he died."

Daily Express editor Hugh Whittow said he was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

"Brian was one of my very best friends and I am deeply, deeply saddened by this tragic news," he said.

"Brian was talented, funny, generous, full of mischief and everyone loved him.

"He was devoted to Nelli and she was devoted to him, and they both adored their children and grandchildren."

British broadcaster Piers Morgan also expressed his sadness via Twitter.

"Great editor, and wonderful character. Gave me my 1st shift in Fleet Street. RIP," he said.

"My deepest sympathies to ... all the Hitchen family. Brian was a newspaper giant in every sense."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was in contact with the Hitchen family.