His light shone bright and through the legacy of his art, it will never go out

Chief reporter NEAL KEELING looks back at the life of renowned artist Harold Riley, who has died aged 88

HE WAS a working-class lad from Salford who moved with royalty, world political leaders, sporting legends, rock stars, and famous actors. But he never lost the common touch.

He used his skills to capture both the youth and hope of President John F Kennedy in 1962 and the neon glow from Neil's Friery chip shop on Langworthy Road on a snow-flecked winter's night.

Artist Harold Riley, who has died aged 88, has left a vast legacy of work which ranges from portraits of Prince Philip and Pope John Paul II to the backstreets and characters of his home city. He even drew portraits of the staff at Salford Royal Hospital who cared for him during bouts of illness during recent years.

Amongst those who paid tribute was Sir Alex Ferguson. Harold produced a stunning painting of the former manager and they shared a strong mutual respect. Harold played for United's academy under Sir Matt Busby.

A Salford Grammar old boy - he attended with life-long friend, actor Albert Finney - in 1951 he won a scholarship to the Slade School of Fine Art in London. But his promise had flowered six years earlier.

Harold was 11 years old when he first met LS Lowry. He was awarded first prize by the artist at a Salford Grammar School art exhibition in 1945. They were friends for 30 years.

Lowry engineered the first sale of a picture by Mr Riley. He invited him to Salford Museum and Art Gallery, and had a word with Albert Frape, curator at the time. Lowry suggested a price of 30 shillings which Frape paid and Mr Riley used the cash to buy a new plaid shirt.

In 2017, Harold was awarded the Freedom of Salford and he chose to exercise the ancient rights it gave him. These included the right to drive sheep through the city - so he mustered four pedigree Derbyshire Texels from a farm to meander slowly down the A6.