The battle for Danny Katz is over. A few weeks ago The Age columnist was dumped in anger by new editor Andrew Jaspan over a single line plucked out in Crikey’s “What the papers say section” that read: “It’s easy lounging around all day writing nonsense for newspapers.” Japsan’s fit of pique – an apparent inability to decode irony – sparked a campaign by readers to have Katz reinstated and also prompted Herald Sun editor Peter Blunden to enter the fray with a generous offer for Katz to defect to the tabloid.

Now it appears somone at Spencer Street has had the good sense to explain to Jaspan that Katz is a talented and much-loved columnist, and that if you’re trying to attract readers then sacking one of your more popular contributors because you’ve got ants in you pants about Crikey isn’t a smart play.

Katz met with Jaspan on Friday and Age sources say the wee editor ate a big slice of humble pie. The end result is a complete backdown: Katz’s regular column in the paper’s Metro section will be reinstated and he’s also been offered a wider role writing for other parts of the paper.

Maybe he’s being groomed to become the paper’s new editor?