Stars turn out to say a final farewell to Danny La Rue

Published on Tuesday 23 June 2009 22:51

STARS including Barbara Windsor, Ronnie Corbett and Roy Hudd gathered to say farewell to Danny La Rue yesterday.

The female impersonator described as "a star performer and a star human being" died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight on 31 May following a short illness.

His glittering career spanned some 60 years, and he died aged 81after battling cancer.

A requiem mass took place at the Catholic Church of the Transfiguration in Kensal Rise in London.

Windsor, who dabbed her eyes during the service, read out a poem composed by La Rue's former partner and manager for 32 years, Jack Hanson.

Hanson died in 1984 and Windsor said that La Rue had been going through his items when he found a tape on which Hanson recited the poem, which he had composed for La Rue's 50th birthday. She read the lines "I give you all my thanks and all my deepest love."

The EastEnders actress, who followed Corbett, joked she was "another little one".

Other stars who attended included Barry Cryer and Joe Pasquale.

La Rue's coffin was adorned with yellow sunflowers and other purple flowers.