A landmark photography project
Photography by Kaitlin Bowden-O'Connor & Katie O'Neill
Christopher Eccleston is a highly regarded British actor of film, television, and stage. He has starred in numerous acclaimed television dramas, including Our Friends in the North and Cracker, as well as films such as Shallow Grave and The Others. He played the Ninth Doctor in the BBC’s Doctor Who, reviving the iconic role for a new generation.
Actor, Christopher Eccleston
Born in Salford in 1964 to working-class parents, Chris spent his early years in a small terraced house on Blodwell Street, Langworthy, before the family moved to Little Hulton when he was seven months old. He attended Joseph Eastham High School, where he became head boy. At 19, inspired by hard-hitting television dramas such as Boys from the Blackstuff, he decided to pursue a career in acting. He studied performance at Salford Technical College before training at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Chris first gained public attention with his role in the 1991 film Let Him Have It, followed by a breakout performance in Cracker. His powerful portrayal in Our Friends in the North earned him widespread acclaim. One of his most powerful performances came in his role as justice campaigner Trevor Hicks in Jimmy McGovern's 1996 BAFTA award winning TV film Hillsborough. His later television credits include The Shadow Line, The Accused, and True Detective. His film work includes Jude, 28 Days Later, The Others, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Thor: The Dark World.
Let Him Have It, Chris' first film role, 1991
Chris starring in Our Friends in the North, alongside Daniel Craig, 1996
The 9th Dr Who
On the stage Chris has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and fulfilled a lifelong ambition by taking on the title role in Macbeth. His professional stage debut came in 1989 with a production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
To be a Salfordian means to believe and know in your soul that everybody on the planet is neither greater nor lesser than you - Christopher Eccleston
Throughout his career, Chris has received numerous awards and nominations, including an International Emmy Award for The Shadow Line and a BAFTA nomination for Our Friends in the North.
In his 2019 autobiography, I Love the Bones of You, Chris opened up about his experiences with mental health challenges and his dad’s battle with dementia. He is also an active supporter of several charities, including Mencap and the British Red Cross.
Lennon Naked, 2010
Hillsborough, 1996
Chris alongside Kate Winslet in the 1996 period drama, Jude
2019 autobiography, I Love the Bones of You
Chris as Macbeth in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2018 production
A proud Salfordian, Chris remains close to his working-class roots and is a passionate campaigner and advocate for equality and social justice. He is also a lifelong Manchester United fan.
Salford Lads & Girls Club is close to Chris' heart. He has been a supporter of the club in recent years as in its struggle for financial stability. The club is a symbol of the city's unique identity and an important touch point for equality and social history. This remarkable institution was the perfect location for the photography and for Chris to celebrate his Salfordian working class roots.
Related links:
Manchester Taxi Tours - Official Website
Manchester Taxi Tours - Instagram
Manchester Taxi Tours - Facebook
Student reflection: Kaitlin Bowden-O'Connor
We met John and his taxi outside Manchester Cathedral, the starting location for the photoshoot.
From the moment we arrived, John was warm, welcoming, and talkative, immediately putting me at ease. We began by photographing John with his taxi before capturing a series of close-up images around the cathedral grounds. He was happy to take direction throughout the shoot and spent time telling us about his work as a tour guide, which helped create a relaxed atmosphere.
For the second half of the shoot, we jumped in the back of John's taxi to Strangeways Prison. As one of the key locations featured on many of his tours, the prison is an instantly recognisable landmark on the Manchester skyline and provided a strong visual backdrop.
The weather was overcast but bright, creating soft, even lighting for most of the session. In the more shaded areas, I adjusted my camera's ISO settings to maintain the correct exposure. I was also using a Nikon camera instead of my usual Canon, but I adapted quickly to the different controls and was able to work confidently throughout the shoot.
Jamie & Chris on the shoot
Many of the final images outside the Victorian prison entrance feature John behind the wheel of his taxi, alongside a series of character studies with the prison as the backdrop. My aim was to capture John's genuine personality while using the surrounding locations to add context. I believe I achieved this by creating images that not only reflect his John’s character but also tell the story of his work and his connection to the city.