Celebrity snapper revealed identity of 'second most beautiful woman in world' after his wife

When charming airport photographer Dennis Stone landed a contract with this newspaper his career really went sky high. The post boy turned celebrity photographer’s iconic shots of stars at Heathrow Airport filled our pages.

Sadly, Dennis died last Sunday, aged 92, but son Duncan, 63, has spoken of the “godfather of Heathrow paparazzi”. He said: “My father was such a character he’d get a smile out of anybody.”

As these photos show, Dennis certainly had a knack of getting stars to play ball, and even pose for pictures. Dennis was impressed by star Liz Taylor’s violet eyes, the lovely but shy Princess Diana, and actress Sophia Loren – the second “most beautiful woman in the ” after his wife Dorothy. He became pals with Dame Joan Collins, 91, who sent him a card every year and even cheekily asked her for a kiss on his birthday.

Dennis began taking photos aged 13 with a Box Brownie Kodak camera from his mum, costing two ­shillings and sixpence. He developed his film in the kitchen with shutters to keep out the light.

At 16 he worked at Heathrow as a post boy for BOAC, which became . He had a pass allowing him to go right up to the steps of the plane. He worked at Heathrow for more than 60 years. He told Duncan: “It’s not a proper job, I don’t work for a living; I press a button, have lots of fun, and people pay me lots of money.”

Dennis retired after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but still took photos. Duncan said: “Even to his dying day, he had a bit of string and a lanyard with a small camera hanging around his neck.”

The family said: “He will live on in our hearts and minds.” He leaves behind Dorothy, 91, sons Duncan, David, 59, and Darren, 57, and seven grandkids.

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