Mark Coleman is gone from Life & Style, according to an insider. No official word why just yet, but we're told two versions of the deputy editor's departure abound: 1) He voluntarily chose to leave and told bosses yesterday, and was asked to leave this afternoon; and 2) He was actually fired, for faulty sources and "lies."
Update: Multiple sources tell a different story. Sadly for gossipmongers, there seems like nothing nefarious here. Coleman has long been weighing a move back to the U.K. to be with his family, and he's already set up a job with the Daily Mail's dot-com, running their Showbiz section. He told brass last Monday about his plans, and they asked him to stay on till yesterday to close the issue. They sent him off with champagne and cake. He leaves the magazine with last week's "Where's Shiloh?" price-hiked issue selling 700,000 copies.
Editorial Director
That's a lovely bit of pro-Coleman propaganda, also designed to make Bauer look like a nice place to work. Only a fool would believe any of it. I'm guessing your "multiple sources" are one named Mark.
I worked with Mark for a period of time and I think he's a great guy….so stop hating on him bitter ex employees. Good luck to Mark wherever he goes.
Mark Coleman is the best thing to happen to me and my family. He has a heart as big as the UK and his decency and integrity far surpass the standards of celebrity gossip. I happen to know for a fact his sources are 100% legit and accurate. I wish him luck at The Daily Mail and I'm confident he will blow them away with his talents and hard work.
I worked for Mark Coleman for several years. I cannot imagine having a kinder and more generous boss. He is utterly devoted to his work and prides himself on ruthless accuracy. Anyone who suggests otherwise clearly does not know anything about him.
The champagne and cake were real. Coleman was easily one of the hardest-working, decent and loyal people there. He's going home with his head held high. Good for him.
Coleman for President!!
He's Mr. Wonderful! We'll miss him.
Mark is rock star. He's a generous, superstar boss and a great guy!
Did you pay these people to post nice things about you as well Mark?
YOu are one of the most vile people on the planet, and if you don't go back to wherever the hell you came from voluntarily, I hope for the good of American Journalism that you get deported.
If being loyal, honest, and protective of valued employees is the definition of a vile boss then sign me up! I began working with Mark Coleman over three years ago and I can honestly say my life as a reporter drastically improved when I became a part of his team. I know he and his family are looking forward to their return to the UK so I am happy for them. However it saddens me to see him go, as he is anything but a vile human being. Good luck Mark and congratulations!
Allison
Are we all talking about the same Mark Coleman? Surely, this honest, life-changing one you speak of must be the good twin version of the evil one that's now high-tailing it to UK.
Let me guess - he was wearing a suit and tie when he high-tailed it back to the UK? That would be Mark. He was definitely one to use sources both real and imagined (and paid off) - no question. But I know that Life & Style definitely wouldn't consider that below their low code of (nonexistant) ethics. Both Life & Style and Mark's former employers, Star and In Touch, had absolutely no regard for truth in their reporting. And neither did Mark. If someone would say it, whether or not they knew what they were talking about, he would print it. And he is an interesting Jekyll/Hyde - definitely pretends to be nice but then goes ballistic and slams the phone in your ear if you question his behavior.
I don't know anything about the circumstances of his departure, but my guess is he was ousted. He was VERY keen on staying in the U.S. the last I talked to him.