Walk on the wild Sidey

Iconic images of ace Mirror photographer Arthur Sidey

THESE are some of the most striking Mirror pictures of the past five decades.

Stars at the height of their fame, deathdefying sporting moments and, particularly, amazing animals at close quarters.

They were all taken by Arthur Sidey, who has died aged 89 after a Mirror career spanning 46 years.

Mary, his wife for 66 years, said: “It’s lovely to think readers are still looking at Arthur’s pictures – he risked his life for his most famous one.”

That was at a motor race at Snetterton, Norfolk, in 1964. Arthur was crouching in a hollow when a car driven by Graham Hill left the track and shot over the top of him.

As he ducked, his photographer’s instincts kicked in and he raised his hands above his head and clicked his camera.

He didn’t know if he had a frame until he returned to the darkroom.

Arthur said at the time: “As he came at me I took a couple of shots instinctively as he went over my head.

“I was amazed to see him get out and calmly walk away.”

LUCKY

He sent a copy to Hill and got a note back saying: “We were both really lucky.”

Arthur joined the Mirror in

1945 as an editorial messenger before leaving for National Service. He signed up to the camera section of the RAF and as soon as he completed his stint he rejoined the Mirror as a photographer.

Animal pictures became a speciality, and he produced five animal calendars. Mirror royal photographer Kent Gavin, who worked with Arthur for 30 years, said: “There was something special about him. He was a first-class photographer, a great character and, above all, a gentleman.” Former editor Mike Molloy echoed Kent’s views. He said: “Arthur had what great Fleet Street photographers needed – a fast eye that can see a picture in an instant.

“Press photography differs from all other kinds. Press photographers had to see the frame in a second. In Arthur’s time, before digital cameras, every frame had to count – not like today when you can bang out 10 shots in a blink of an eye. He was a lovely man.”

Arthur is survived by sons Chris, 59, and Mark, 54, three grandchildren, and his amazing collection of photographs.

STICKING HIS NECK OUT Chessington Zoo giraffe in 1983 HEADING FOR A FALL Muhammad Ali arrives for Cooper fight in 1963 AT HIS BEAK Michael Caine snapped with rescued swan ROCK ON A colourful young Rod Stewart DUST-UP Cleaning ladies protest against...