SIXTIES fashion photographer Bob Richardson died on December 5 at the age of 77. His son Terry, himself a well-respected photographer, confirmed that his father, who had battled schizophrenia since diagnosis at the age of 21, died in Manhattan of natural causes. Credited with changing the feel of fashion photography along with the likes of Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton and David Bailey, Richardson had a reputation for fighting with the editors and stylists he worked with. "American magazines are cowards," he told PDN in 1997. "Most of the stuff they put out is shit. New York has definitely succeeded in raising mediocrity to an art form. It's ridiculous. In Europe I'm considered a genius; in New York I'm nobody." Having all but disappeared during the Eighties, when he ended up homeless in California, Richardson was rediscovered by an avid fan, British art historian Martin Harrison, who tracked him down in 1989. He continued working for the world's top fashion magazines throughout the Nineties, but never lost his passion for rebellion. "I don't know why you'd want to be labelled anything else but a rebel," he once said. "The opposite of a rebel is a coward, and believe me, I've worked with a lot of cowards." Terry, who survives his father along with his sister Margaret, is hoping to complete a book that Bob started before his death. (January 5 2006, AM)

THE Metropolitan Police have appealed to Kate Moss to return to Britain and face arrest in order to assist with the investigation into drug dealing. Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, whose boss is the Police chief Ian Blair, told The Sun that Kate's help could be invaluable as they prepare to make arrests. "It is very important to us that she comes back to assist us with this investigation," he said. "We hope that Kate will give us her version of events. It is in her interests and everybody's interests that she does this as soon as possible. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether she has decided to stay in the United States. But we have an investigation to carry out and we need to speak to her as soon as possible. The investigation is progressing very well and the Met is closing in on those who are behind the supply of drugs. But we have got to speak to Kate. I am making an appeal Kate to come back to this country. If she does we will seek to see her by appointment. We will arrest her and interview her under caution." (January 5 2006, AM)