Arthur Donnelly, 'one in a billion' legend, dies at 83

TRIBUTES have poured in after the death of Arthur Donnelly at the age of 83.

- BY DIANNE BOURNE

Stockport's Arthur - hailed: “Manchester's number-one legend” - was known for running his huge scrapyard in Ancoats and then Ardwick from the 1970s through to 2017.

Arthur was dad to Anthony and Chris Donnelly - the brothers behind the Gio Goi fashion brand - and to daughter Tracey Donnelly, famed for her work with Factory Records.

He died peacefully at home in Stockport on Friday, May 23, after a recent cancer diagnosis, with family at his side.

Born and raised in Manchester, he mixed with the great, the good and the notorious of the city’s music, business and cultural scene.

His scrapyard, Ardwick Autos, featured in music videos for the likes of 808 State, Ian Brown, and Chase and Status.

Arthur also had a cameo in the video - produced by his sons - for 2008 dance smash I Remember, by DJ Deadmau5 and Kaskade, alongside award-winning actors Stephen Graham and Warren Brown.

Luther star Warren was among those paying tribute, hailing Arthur “an absolute legend” while others called him “one in a billion” and “a lovely man, a true gent and a total character” in tributes posted on social media.

Born Arthur Joseph Donnelly on March 4, 1942, in Wythenshawe, to parents Ellen and James Donnelly, he grew up in a household with brothers Johnny and Jimmy and their four sisters Louise, Anne, Maria and Claire.

He would go on to meet his future wife and life-long love June at the age of 17 when both were dancing at the Plaza. They married in August 1963 at St Jerome's Church in Ardwick and were together for 63 years before June died in 2022 aged 79.