AddThis SmartLayers

Former press photographer recalls male stripper snap

A male stripper who provided a former regional press photographer with one of his most iconic images has died aged 87.

Graham Gough was working for the Express & Star when he captured a picture of Andy Wade revealing all during a show at the Saltwells Pub in Dudley.

The snap won the Midlands News Picture of the Year Award in 1975 and later inspired a famous painting by novelty artist Beryl Cook entitled ‘Ladies Night.’

Mr Wade, whose real name was John Hotchkiss, later went on to work as an extra in the television series ‘Allo ‘Allo.

Graham's picture of male stripper Andy Wade revealing all at the Saltwells in Dudley, 1975

Recalled Graham:  “He was a nice chap, really good fun to work with.  I met him a couple of times afterwards. He always said the picture had done him a lot of good, he had received a lot of work as a result of it.

“When I took the picture there were just me and Andy among all those women, and it got a bit frisky. There are some great expressions on the faces of the women and along with the atmosphere made it a winning shot.”

The picture can also be seen in Graham’s book, The Black Country Album, which was featured on HoldtheFrontPage last year.

Beryl’s painting, which was released in 1980, can be seen here.

8 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • February 5, 2014 at 9:50 am
    Permalink

    Please don’t refer to an award winning photograph as a ‘snap’. It implies that no thought has been given to composition or technique.

    There are other synonyms that can be used – picture, image and frame, for example. Although exposure might be more fitting in this instance.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • February 5, 2014 at 2:22 pm
    Permalink

    @LegendDave Ummm… No it isn’t. And there is no need to be singularly offensive.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • February 5, 2014 at 2:59 pm
    Permalink

    Trolls on HTDP! Wish they’d stick to mindless commenting on our newspaper websites.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • February 5, 2014 at 3:31 pm
    Permalink

    Question not the need. Would plurally have been any better? I apologise anyway; I divine that you were being satirical.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • February 5, 2014 at 3:59 pm
    Permalink

    All jesting aside, it’s a tremendous photo, full of girlie giggles and gasps. Oh, that we could have such fun pictures now… I guess the demise of the JP snapper, among others, means such saucy shots will be no more. Shame!!

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • February 5, 2014 at 4:45 pm
    Permalink

    You’re right @Scibbler. We will only have snaps.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)