DJ 'Fluff' Freeman laid to rest

DJ Dave Lee Travis, broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, and TV hypnotist Paul MacKenna were among those who attended the service.

Freeman whose "Not 'arf" catchphrase made him a household name, died on 27 November at the age of 79.

The former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 DJ had been living in a nursing home in Twickenham, west London, since 2000 after being diagnosed with arthritis.

Floral tribute

TV comic Harry Enfield, who based his character Dave Nice on Freeman, was unable to attend but sent a letter of condolence which was read out during the service at Southwest Middlesex Crematorium in Hanworth.

A congregation of around 200 people attended the service, which was taken by BBC broadcaster Reverend Roger Royle.

Freeman's agent Tim Blackmore spoke to praise his innovative DJing style, playing rock music together with cuts of classical music.

An excerpt of Freeman in action was also played during the service.

Freeman joined the BBC in the early 1960s, presenting a host of shows including Pick of the Pops from 1962 to 1972, and again from 1997 to 2000 on Radio 2.

He joined Radio 1 in 1972 and he was also one of the original team of presenters on TV's Top of the Pops.

Freeman's well-known catchphrases included "Not 'arf!" "Greetings, pop pickers", "All right!"

Among the floral tributes outside the chapel was an arrangement which read "Not 'arf".

Freeman was made an MBE in 1998 and a Sony lifetime achievement award in 2000.