He was one of the few journalists to be trusted by Hollywood legend Frank Sinatra, a tea party guest and friend of flamboyant star Liberace and even danced with screen icon Ginger Rogers.

Now a series of 50 photographs taken or commissioned by retired Fleet Street showbusiness correspondent and publicist John Rimmington will go on show for the first time in Britain in an exhibition at a Shipley restaurant.

Mr Rimmington will give a fascinating insight into his life and career during a quarter of a century in Hollywood and Las Vegas – meeting some of the world’s most iconic stage, screen, and recording superstars.

He said: “In those days the stars were huge icons. I was lucky to have been able to interview, and in some cases photograph, them in the prime of their careers. Back in the 1960s, 70s, even the early 80s stars were relaxed and accessible – they trusted you.

“I had access to their film locations, their Las Vegas shows, backstage after-show parties and was even invited to their homes. It was an era when superstars really were superstars.”

The favourite photographs of Mr Rimmington, 68, of Rawdon, taken during his time in Las Vegas include Frank Sinatra playing chess in 1979 with Anatoli Karpov, the Russian world champion, and with Telly ‘Kojak’ Savalas at an after-show drinks party.

Another shows Muhammad Ali giving his most prized possession, his World Heavyweight Champion of Champions ring, to Bradford teenage spina bifida sufferer Julie Collins during a trip he sponsored for her to see her idol Donny Osmond – a meeting Mr Rimmington also arranged and photographed.

He was a friend of Frank Sinatra and Liberace as well as the first British journalist to have a one-to-one interview with Elvis Presley and the last to interview Groucho Marx.

Mr Rimmington will be attending the unveiling of the exhibition at The Waterside Restaurant and Bar, Shipley Wharf, on Saturday between noon and 6pm. The exhibition will be open to the public from Monday.

James Downey, whose family own the restaurant, said: “John has been a family friend for many years and we are really honoured and privileged to be given the opportunity to be first to publicly display his large private collection of photographs depicting the legendary superstars relaxing. There are some amazing photographs.”