Terry O’Neill, legendary snapper of the Swinging Sixties, dies

TERRY O’Neill, the photographer whose work captured the heights of the Swinging Sixties, has died at the age of 81.

O’Neill, who rose to fame with his work with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, passed away at home on Saturday following a long illness.

George Best was among the famous sportsmen he pictured, as well as Bobby Moore, Franz Beckenbauer, Pele, boxer Muhammad Ali and Pakistani cricketer and politician Imran Khan.

He was married to the actress Faye Dunaway for three years in the 1980s.

A spokesman for Iconic Images, which represents his impressive archive, said: “As one of the most iconic photographers of the last 60 years, his legendary pictures will forever remain imprinted in our memories as well as in our hearts and minds.”

One of his last major public appearances was when he collected his CBE for services to photography in October.

Mr O’Neill is one of the world’s most collected photographers with work hanging in national art galleries and private collections worldwide.

His photos included The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were still struggling young bands, along with David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry.

The Queen and former South African President Nelson Mandela posed for portraits and images of former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill are also among his archive.

He was also known for pictures of Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Terence Stamp, Jean Shrimpton, Tom Jones, and Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen, Amy Winehouse and U2.