Star-studded goodbye to Sir John Mills

Matthew Beard
Thursday 28 April 2005 00:00 BST
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As the head of a showbusiness dynasty, Sir John Mills was always likely to receive a stylish send-off.

As the head of a showbusiness dynasty, Sir John Mills was always likely to receive a stylish send-off.

And yesterday his family did not disappoint at a funeral featuring an ironic Frank Sinatra track "You Make Me Feel So Young" and culminating in a live ukulele performance.

The service for the actor, who died aged 97 on Saturday, was attended by showbusiness dignitaries including Sir Roger Moore and Dame Judi Dench.

Lord Attenborough led tributes to his friend and celebrated Sir John's relationship with his wife, Lady Mary, who was too sick to attend the funeral. "They had the most extraordinary life together," he said. "The most incredible marriage. The strength and comfort they gave to each other. This extraordinary love affair that they were both singularly devoted to throughout their lives."

The service at St Mary the Virgin church in Denham, Buckinghamshire, heard Sir John praised for his "integrity, courage and cheerfulness". The mourners included Twiggy, Stephen Fry, Nanette Newman and Cherie Blair, who arrived with the 1960s pop star Jess Conrad and the actress Anita Harris.

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