Legendary Mirror photographer Dennis Stone hailed 'Godfather of Heathrow paparazzi' dies aged 92

Celebrity photographer Dennis Stone, who "photographed the good and great, the big and the bad", has died at the age of 92.

snapping some of the biggest names to pass through its terminals. The photographer died on Sunday. He fell in love with photography at the age of 13 when his mother gifted him a Box Brownie Kodak camera that cost two shillings and sixpence.

Stone, who was born on 13 June 1932, would develop his photos in his family's kitchen with his father helping by using shutters to keep the light out. He started his working career aged 16, having worked as a tea-boy for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). When he turned 34, Stone became a freelance photographer.

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He began snapping the stars at Heathrow Airport, with his favourites including Twiggy, Goldie Hawn, Elizabeth Taylor, Elle Macpherson, Cher, Diana Ross, Peter O'Toole, Piers Brosnan and Richard Branson. Stone's eldest son Duncan told "He said: 'It's not proper job, I don't work for a living; I press a button, have lots of fun, and people pay me lots of money.'"

He explained Joan Collins, "who was a great mate of his", Paul McCartney, and Rod Stewart were Stone's top stars to photograph. "He loved telling stories and anecdotes of the people he had photographed," Duncan added. "They all loved him."

Speaking of his job in 2010 to the Dennis revealed: "I feel very fortunate to have worked at Heathrow for the past 64 years carrying out a job I see less as work and more as a passion. I have made many good friends here and been privy to a that has allowed me to capture unique moments and events.”

He was awarded a golden key by the airport for his contribution to life at Heathrow as Dennis said at the time: "I wear it with pride everywhere I go at the airport."

Stone had three sons - Duncan, David and Darren - with his wife Dorothy. They also welcomed seven grandchildren. Duncan dubbed his father as "godfather of Heathrow paparazzi," and revealed he was working until the last decade of his life. Stone's son even gave a hand to his photography career as Duncan worked in the darkroom when he was a little boy.

He also revealed three generations of their family have plied their trade in photographic media. Duncan himself has worked as a cameraman to King Charles and for , and Sky. "I wanted to be a Fleet Street photographer, but he said, 'no, the future is in video, not stills'," Duncan shared.

He echoed his father's work ethic as he revealed he has "no intention of retiring whatsoever" and insisted they do the work "for the love". In tribute, the Stone family said: "His legacy will live on in his collection of iconic photographs of celebrities from past and present. He will be truly missed and will live on in our hearts and minds."

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