Tony was born in HU3. He is a commercial photographer and owner of Top Color on Hessle Road with his wife Gloria. They have been in business there since 1987. They also owned a shop on Anlaby Road, where his photographs of Kandy Lee Barry / Bobby Mandrell were taken throughout the 80s.
He still uses the same back projection system called a Hensel Studio Technik Compact System today. Tony documented many acts during the 80s and 90s creating promotional material for them. This included The Broadway Belles and legendary HU3 crooner Joe Longthorne. In 2025 Tony photographed Bobby Mandrell for Scene But Not Heard, using his 80s photos as inspiration. In 2026 he documented Bobby’s last performance.
We grew up with gay people, they were in all the pubs. These people were the sons and daughters of our friends. We knew Joe Longthorne was gay and we didn’t care. Ray aka Bobby has been with us forever and we love him too.
Click red arrow to hear Tonys oral history
