David Ashdown, The Independent’s former chief sports photographer, has died at the age of 75. The award-winning photojournalist passed away on 23 December 2025, his daughter Libby confirmed.
Ashdown began his career as a motorcycle messenger at Keystone Press in 1968, taking pictures of pop groups and motorcycle racing in his spare time. He later covered sport and news at the Daily Star from 1978 before joining The Independent at its launch in 1986, becoming its chief sports photographer. He worked for the paper until his retirement after the London 2012 Olympics and is believed to have been the longest-serving staff sports photographer across all newspapers at the time.
During his 43-year career, Ashdown photographed eight Olympic Games, 40 Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and thousands of football, rugby and cricket matches. He won numerous accolades, including European Sports Photographer of the Year in 1993, SJA Sports Photographer of the Year in 1987 and 1990, and the International Olympic Committee Best of Sport Award in 1990.
Ashdown was known for capturing iconic sporting moments from unofficial positions, such as Linford Christie’s 100m victory at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and Usain Bolt’s historic 100m win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also earned the nickname “Splashdown” after a photograph of England cricketers celebrating in the rain during the 2005 Ashes Test at The Oval.
Paying tribute, The Independent’s editor-in-chief Geordie Greig said: “David was a significant and memorable photographer who was there right from the dawn of The Independent. He made his mark and achieved deserved acclaim as well as great affection from his colleagues. I salute David’s skill and dignity and decency.”
