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Family and friends mourn socialite Llewellyn

Lauren Turner,Pa
Wednesday 14 January 2009 14:55 GMT
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Tributes were paid today to socialite Sir Dai Llewellyn who died of cancer in hospital.

The 62-year-old was receiving treatment for bone cancer at Edenbridge and District War Memorial Hospital.

Friend Dragomir Devedlaka said Sir Dai's former wife and two daughters were at his bedside when he passed away at about 9pm yesterday.

Sir Dai was born in Aberdare, South Wales, in 1946 and was brother to Roddy Llewellyn, who had a six-year affair with Princess Margaret.

In an interview in November, Sir Dai said he was "riddled" with cancer.

The bon-viveur told the Daily Mail: "It's all down to the alcohol, it's all my fault. Oh what a joy, what a pleasure alcohol can bring you.

"It can be one of life's great pleasures, but it can also cause great downfalls."

Businessman Mr Devedlaka said Sir Dai was transferred to the hospital for radiation treatment for bone cancer six weeks ago, having previously been at a Kent hospice.

Paying tribute to his friend of 30 years last night, he said: "He was one of the best raconteurs in the world, if not the number one.

"He was the perfect gentleman, and was the most amazing person to be with."

After visiting Sir Dai for the final time yesterday, businessman Mr Devedlaka said: "I knew intuitively that it would be goodbye, because of the way he looked.

"His daughters were there, and his ex-wife Vanessa was there. It was almost like a little party."

The son of former gold-winning Olympic showjumper Sir Harry Llewellyn, Sir Dai inherited the Baronetcy of Bwllfa when his father died in 1999.

He was a staunch supporter of the United Kingdom Independence Party, and stood for the party in the National Assembly for Wales elections in 2007.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UKIP party, paid tribute to Sir Dai, saying: "He was a larger than life character who brought great joy to both life and our party.

"We are sad to see him gone. We will remember him, and of course we will still be fighting for what he believed in, which is a free, sovereign and independent United Kingdom."

A rift between Sir Dai and his brother formed when he mentioned Roddy's relationship with Princess Margaret in a newspaper article, but the pair were reconciled at the end of last year.

Sir Dai said at the time: "I said he was banned from my wedding and funeral, but it was a bit of a laugh, you know. We've buried the hatchet now."

The Old Etonian was open about his love of living the high life, which included consuming large amounts of alcohol, claiming to have drunk eight bottles of wine, a bottle of rum, a bottle of port and a bottle of vodka in one night.

Despite his illness, Mr Devedlaka said Sir Dai had not lost any of his zest for life.

He said: "When he was in the hospice, I used to take him to the pub.

"We used to have a little lunch, and a smoke and a glass of wine.

"He was still young. He lived more in six months than the vast majority live in their lifetime.

"He had no regrets whatsoever. The wonderful thing about Dai is that people associated him with the best restaurants and nightclubs, and the Learjets. But we used to go to greasy spoon cafes together, where you could get drunk for £5.

"He's the only person I've ever met who lived every second of every minute of every day. He regarded sleeping as a waste of time.

"In 30 years, I have never seen him once miserable. He was very happy, and made a lot of other people very happy."

Sir Dai was known as a ladies' man, and said in November: "I love women. There is nothing more beautiful than an English rose.

"They take my breath away."

Recounting a recent incident, Mr Devedlaka added: "He was in a wheelchair, and one of his female friends appeared.

"He said: 'My dear, you look absolutely sexy.'

"He was always at it. Women absolutely adored him."

Sir Dai remained close to former wife Vanessa Hubbard, the mother of Olivia, 28, and Arabella, 25.

Mr Devedlaka said: "A lot of people will truly, truly miss him. He will leave a big hole in our hearts. He is one of those people you never forget.

"He wouldn't change a bit of his life. He enjoyed himself thoroughly."

Funeral arrangements are expected to be confirmed later this week.

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