OUR esteemed but under-fire columnist James Chapman-Kelly has survived the chop by the skin of his teeth. The news comes as a huge relief to JCK'S army of fans who feared he was going to get the boot.

This week it is they who are rejoicing and the writer's detractors who are banging their heads against the wall after the result of our Back Him or Sack Him poll came up trumps for the beleaguered columnist.

Last week our mailbag swelled with letters calling for JCK'S head and it truly did seem like the game was up for him after dozens of you got in touch with us to say he had to go. His column was alternately described as 'inane ramblings' and a 'breath of fresh air'.

But cometh the hour cometh the van load of letters in support of our man in Chorlton, and, following a second phase of voting over the past seven days, JCK scraped through by the hairs on his neck.

The margin of victory was minuscule. But the finally tally told its own story: 131 in favour of JCK getting the axe and 140 against. NICK TOWLE reports....

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JAMES Chapman-Kelly had just one message for his detractors after the Back Him or Sack Him poll results were announced this week.

The writer could barely conceal his delight after being given the thumbs-up by readers.

And, true to style, he gave 'two fingers up' to his critics as only he knows how.

"I should imagine that the words water and ducks come to mind," said JCK. "I can take all the criticism they throw at me. I never doubted that my writing style was accepted by the majority of readers."

Lilian Smith, of Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, was one of JCK's army of fans who voted for him to stay on.

She said: "I wish to express my disgust at the way you are treating your column-writer. His articles are always interesting, well-written and thoughtful. I may be getting on in years but he makes me smile and think about things. Please don't sack him."

Tom McGrath, by email, said: "James Chapman-Kelly's articles are idiosyncratic and thought-provoking, and a welcome change from the acres of turgid Phil Space prose in your organ and other local papers."

Peter from Withington said: "His critics can't even spell properly! No wonder they can't read his column as they wouldn't understand good prose if they could read it. JCK is brilliant."

Harold from Chorlton wrote: "JCK's thoughtful, humorous, non-rancorous reply to his critics in last week's paper was a brilliant piece of penmanship. It had us rolling in our armchairs. He stands head-and-shoulders above his critics."

Hilary Hopkins from Chorlton roared: "What's going on? JCK's column is a delight to read (perfect Friday night read - with a glass of wine to hand of course!). I back JCK 100 per cent."

Nigel Leak from Chorlton said: "James Chapman-Kelly provides a weekly dose of ironic wit and humour intelligently written without the uneducated drivel and ignorant views of many of your correspondents, particularly from those wanting to see James sacked."

Helen from Didsbury gushed: "He's brilliant. Don't go James. This could be a Liberal plot to get Lib Dem MP John Leech his own column. James, if you're reading this, I'm 5ft 5ins, blonde, a non-smoker and enjoy pubs and the arts. Will you marry me?"

Mike from Didsbury said: "Don't know how the editor Lawrence Matheson can possibly criticise the work of James Chapman-Kelly after I heard his remarkably dull interview on GMR's breakfast show this week.

"In my opinion, if Mr Matheson is to be a guest on any radio show, it should be during the late-night slot where he could help south Manchester's insomniacs to catch up on much-needed sleep."

Joe Riley from Chorlton said: "Let's get JCK to stand against John Leech at the next election."

John Franks, who launched the End James Chapman-Kelly's Weekly Column of Drivel website - which urged readers to sign an online petition calling for the columnist's sack - said he could not believe that JCK had been given the thumbs-up.

He said: "Since launching the online petition a week ago we have received more than 60 signatures, for heaven's sake. Even Chorlton councillor Angela Gallagher voted for him to go!"

Throughout the JCK saga, the public clamour for him to be either sacked or backed reached almost seismic proportions.

Such was the hullabaloo surrounding the Back Him or Sack Him poll - which even made headlines in last week's Press Gazette - that a local filmmaker is now planning to make a short film out of it.

Mr Chapman-Kelly said: "I've been approached by a filmmaker with a view to making a 10-minute, Louis Theroux-style film about the poll, complete with voice-overs for the readers' comments."

Part of the film will focus on wicked whispers which abounded throughout the saga, suggesting a Lib Dem conspiracy was at work and that JCK'S detractors were trying to force him out so they could get their own man, Withington MP John Leech, his own column.

To add to the intrigue, Chorlton Lib Dem councillor Angela Gallagher signed an online petition to get rid of the columnist.

This week John Leech dismissed the rumours as 'absolute nonsense'.

He said: "It's absolutely outrageous to suggest this. Apart from anything else, James Chapman-Kelly is a constituent of mine. Angela Gallagher's position was more along the lines of, 'if there's room for someone to have his or her own column, it should be the MP."

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