Stars pay tribute to Ned Sherrin

Sherrin's friend Sir David Frost delivered the eulogy in church

Dame Diana Rigg and Dame Judi Dench were among the stars who gave readings at a memorial service for Ned Sherrin.

The writer and broadcaster, who died in October, would have been celebrating his 77th birthday.

The service at St Paul's Church in London, known as the actors' church, was also attended by Peter O'Toole, Carol Thatcher and Barry Cryer.

Sir David Frost said: "In many ways, he was a bit of a loner but he was the best friend you could hope to have."

Hundreds of friends and colleagues turned up for the service.

'Private man'

As part of the service, comments from the BBC News website's Have Your Say pages - written by readers after his death - were read out.

Sherrin joined the BBC as a producer on the Tonight programme

One said: "The entertainment world will be a poorer place now he has gone".

Another was less complimentary: "He filled the dead air between the Today programme and The Archers."

Readings were also given by actors Timothy West, Tom Conti and Charles Collingwood.

Sherrin began his career as a comedian in the 1960s and wrote dozens of plays and books.

He was also responsible for groundbreaking satirical TV series, That Was The Week That Was.

And he presented BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends from its inception in 1986.

He died from throat cancer at the age of 76.

No doubt he will have sought out the most comfortable seat next to the radiator as he did in church Sir David Frost

At Sherrin's request, the song Not Funny - which he co-wrote for musical spoof Small Expectations - was performed.

Sir David Frost said in his eulogy: "Ned's life was full of paradoxes. He was a public figure yet a very private man."

He joked of his place in Heaven: "No doubt he will have sought out the most comfortable seat next to the radiator as he did in church."

Sir David concluded: "A true friend, Ned Sherrin... bon viveur, bon ami, bon voyage."

The memorial was brought to a close with recordings of Sherrin saying "farewell" to his radio audience.