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Stars gather to remember
comedian Dave Lee

Comedian friends of Dave Lee had mourners roaring with laughter
with their humorous recollections of the panto star at his funeral
today.

It was standing room only as more than 1,200 fans and friends
packed Canterbury Cathedral this afternoon.

The
64-year-old, from Canterbury and pictured left, had been diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer at the end of last year.

The illness forced him to withdraw from his role as Baron Hardup
in a production of Cinderella at the Marlowe Theatre. He died in
hospital last Monday.

But famous and ordinary well-wishers alike joined in the
tributes today to the east Kent legend.

Spotted among the crowd were Bobby Davro, Jim Davidson, actor
Shaun Williamson, Kent lad Joe Pasquale and TV star Shane
Richie.

TV personality Richard Digance helped with the eulogies, which
also included tributes from panto producer Paul Hendy and former
EastEnders actor John Altman.

Family members help to carry the coffin in to the cathedral for
the service, which was beamed out to crowds outside via loud
speakers.

Dave's family wanted the thanksgiving service to be upbeat - and
he certainly would have approved of gags and stories about "Big
Dave".

Referring to Dave's love of food and rotund size, Bobby Davro
told the congregation: "The family asked me if I wanted to help
carry him in or give a speech - I chose the latter."

Richard Digence told a story about the comic's lack of golfing
skills, which resulted in him throwing his golf bag into a
lake - but not before he had retrieved a cheese sandwich.

Dave Lee's coffin is
carried into Canterbury Cathedral

There were readings and other eulogies from former Eastender
Shane Ritchie, panto producer Paul Hendy and former Radio Kent
presenter Barbara Sturgeon who spoke about his charity, Dave Lee's
Happy Holidays.

Dave's daughter Debbie Glew spoke movingly on behalf of the
family about how they had been "truly overwhelmed" by the support
and love they had been shown.

"We never realised how much he was adored and it has been very
humbling for all of us," she said.

She added: "Since his diagnosis in October we have laughed and
cried. He was so proud and chuffed to learn he was going to be made
a Freeman of the City of Canterbury. Now he is with the great
comedians in the sky."

Bobby Davro, left, and
Jim Davidson, pay their respects at Dave Lee's funeral

The service was led by the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, the
very Rev Robert Willis, who is a panto fan.

The congregation was treated to the unlikely sound of the
choristers singing the theme from Ghostbusters in homage to Dave's
ghost bench gag which appeared in many of his 16 pantomime
performances.

His oak coffin was carried out of the cathedral to rapturous two
minute's applause and taken to Barham for a private family
cremation service.

Dave Lee was a star of 16 Marlowe panto productions and a former
warm-up act for TV shows. He was also a tireless fundraiser for
children's charities.

His Dave Lee's Happy Holidays charity has raised more than £2
million since 1994 for sick and disabled children. His efforts were
rewarded with an MBE in 2003.

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