FROM rags to riches and back again — a travel photographer who started his career behind the lens on The Big Breakfast and Big Brother, before a series of misfortunes left him driving a taxi to make ends meet, will have a collection of his work showcased at a Hale gallery.

Peter Aitchison, aged 57, was brought up in a Scottish children's home and failed to gain any qualifications through mainstream education.

Unsure of what to do, he moved to London, bought a camera, and established himself as a wedding photographer, launching a 30-year career.

He soon began training as a studio assistant. Throughout the 90s, while working for The Big Breakfast and the first series of Big Brother, he locked eyes through his lens with stars including Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Britney Spears and Samuel L Jackson.

"My TV work was all about getting the shot that would make the papers the next day", Mr Aitchison said. "I was having to think about catching celebs in unguarded moments rather than using my eye to find form and composition."

Following a move to Glossop in 2001, Mr Aitchison's life was turned upside down when a job offer at Granada TV turned to nothing after a wave of cut backs, a lump in his neck was diagnosed as cancer, and his wife Debra was made redundant after 20 years in the same job.

Mr Aitchison worked several hours a week as a taxi driver to help make ends meet.

Thankfully his fortunes turned again. He received £1,500 compensation following a crash on the A6, with which he bought a camera.

Since then, Mr Aitchison, who lives in Whaley Bridge, has travelled the world in pursuit of pictorial perfection, with recent trips including India, Myanmar, Cuba, America and Turkey.

A selection of his work will go on display at Gateway Gallery in Ashley Road, Hale, between May 18 and June 1.

Gallery owner Susan Eyres said: "Peter’s portraits from the streets are bold, yet honest; proud and vulnerable.

"He isn't interested in forcing a photograph; instead he decides where in the world he wants to explore and 'wanders around until something catches his eye'."