Michael Wynn-Jones dies aged 85, Norwich City honorary life president and Delia Smith's husband

Norwich City mourns long-serving backroom figure

Michael Wynn-Jones, the journalist and husband of TV chef Delia Smith, has died aged 85. Norwich City, where he served as honorary life president, said he died peacefully at home on Monday morning.

The club said in a statement: “Michael died peacefully at home on Monday morning, aged 85. He will be greatly missed. His family are grateful for the wonderful care provided by the community nursing team at St Elizabeth hospice in Ipswich.”

“Our deepest condolences are with Delia and Tom [Smith, the couple’s nephew], and with all of Michael’s family, friends and loved ones. At the family’s request, we ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”

A life with Norwich City

Wynn-Jones lived with Smith near Stowmarket in Suffolk and they had been married for more than 50 years. The couple oversaw several promotions to the Premier League for the Canaries, putting the club on a solid financial footing.

Smith had a more prominent, public role at Norwich City but Wynn-Jones was reportedly regarded as a trusted adviser and influential figure in the boardroom.

He began attending Norwich City games in April 1955 at the age of 13. He wrote fondly of the club’s unlikely run to the FA Cup semi-final in 1959.

Former player Darren Huckerby posted a tribute saying Wynn-Jones “stayed out of the limelight but all at Norwich City FC owe him so much”.

The Norwich City Fans Social Club said: “All of us at NCFSC are devastated to hear the news about Michael Wynn-Jones passing. Michael is a true NCFC legend and what he did for the club cannot be underestimated. We are thinking of Delia, Tom and all of Michael’s family at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Michael.”

Journalism career

Wynn-Jones worked as a journalist for titles including the Daily Mirror and the Spectator and founded his own publishing company.

Delia Smith previously told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs that she and Wynn-Jones bonded over their passion for food and football. She said in 2021 she rarely cooked at home, leaving Wynn-Jones to hover over the stove while she went “to the end of the garden”.