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In pictures: Peter Stringfellow 'King of Clubs'

News imageGetty Images Peter Stringfellow with his pet cat, circa 1990Getty Images
Businessman and nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow has died from cancer, aged 77.
News imagePA File photo dated June 22 1996 showing nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow with some of the women he has been auditioning for his new tableside dancing club, Cabaret of AngelsPA
Born in Sheffield in 1940, Stringfellow began running clubs in the 1960s before opening the first Stringfellows in Covent Garden, London in 1980.
News imageShutterstock Peter Stringfellow at his London clubShutterstock
He described his Covent Garden venue as the world's premier gentleman's club. It was an immediate success and was regularly frequented by international film and music stars.
News imageGetty Images Peter Stringfellow attends Stringfellows Party on February 8, 1987 at Stringfellows in New York CityGetty Images
Beyond the West End, Stringfellow opened venues in Paris, Miami, Beverly Hills and New York, where he is pictured here in 1987.
News imageAlamy Dianne Brill met Peter StringfellowAlamy
His New York nightclub attracted the city's most glamorous personalities, including Dianne Brill, crowned "Queen of the Night" by Andy Warhol.
News imageGetty Images Diana Princess of Wales meet Peter Stringfellow 1985Getty Images
His work meant he counted many celebrities among his acquaintances, from showbiz royalty to actual royalty.
News imageShutterstock Peter StringfellowShutterstock
The Stringfellow brand became known for its topless girls in the 1990s. He defended it, saying: "It's been a positive force in terms of our sexual attitudes. These clubs broke down the fear a lot of people have about sex."
News imagePA February 28 2000 showing nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow launching his new range of underwear with the help of two models.PA
Stringfellow's autobiography, King of Clubs, was published in 1996 with anecdotes of bankruptcy, the New York mafia and "how a steelworker's son ended up with his name in lights".
News imageGetty Images Peter Stringfellow with his girlfriend Helen Benoist on a beach in Barbados, circa 1990.Getty Images
Stringfellow's wardrobe choices often reflected his outgoing and flamboyant personality.
News imagePA Peter Stringfellow with dancers in Dublin, 2006PA
In 2006, Stringfellow opened a lap dancing club in Dublin, but it closed just five months later amid pressure from local residents.
News imageShutterstock Peter StringfellowShutterstock
His clubs had many famous visitors, including Prof Stephen Hawking, who was the nightclub owner's favourite guest. Stringfellow said: "I was so excited when he came in and I wanted to talk to him about the universe. But when I asked him what he wanted he just said, 'Girls'."
News imageGetty Images Peter Stringfellow, Bella Wright and David Cameron attend the Conservative Party Black & White BallGetty Images
Stringfellow, pictured here with David Cameron at the Conservative Party ball, was a long time Conservative supporter until recently, when he sought to fight against Brexit.
News imageShutterstock Peter Stringfellow at his Angels club in Soho, LondonShutterstock
The strip club pioneer opened an adult entertainment club - Angels - in Soho, London in 2006.
News imageGetty Images Piers Morgan and Peter Stringfellow attend Peter Stringfellow's 65th birthday party in 2005Getty Images
He celebrated his 65th birthday with a party at his West End club, attended, among others, by TV personality Piers Morgan.
News imageGetty Images Peter Stringfellow with wife BellaGetty Images
Married three times, and a grandfather to four, he is survived by his wife Bella and four children. He married the former Royal Ballet dancer, 41 years his junior, in 2009.