STARS of stage and screen bade farewell to actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne at his funeral in a village church yesterday.
Author Frederick Forsyth and actors Derek Fowlds and Charles Dance were among the celebrities who gathered to pay tribute to Sir Nigel, renowned for his roles in the BBC TV comedy Yes, Minister, and the film and theatre versions of The Madness of King George.
Loretta Swit, who played in the TV series MASH, and actress Maureen Lipman also attended the service in St Mary's Church in Thundridge, Hertfordshire.
The funeral for Sir Nigel, who died of a heart attack on Boxing Day at the age of 72, was a simple one, with family and friends joined by local shopkeepers and even his taxi driver.
It was led by the Right Rev Christopher Herbert, Bishop of St Albans, and the Rev Hilary Sharman, vicar of Thundridge.
Sir Nigel's coffin was adorned with a simple wreath of white lilies and orchids.Trevor Bentham, his partner since 1979, helped to carry it.
A private cremation was held later for family members.
His death was described as unexpected, but he had been suffering from cancer for 18 months and had undergone chemotherapy.
Sir Nigel was president of the nearby Garden House Hospice, and had asked for all donations to be sent there.
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