Secombe gets first blue plaque in Wales

Sir Harry Secombe has been honoured with the first blue plaque of its type in Wales.

The former Goon was remembered at a memorial service in Swansea on Saturday, at the church where he was a chorister.

Eric Sykes was among the 200 who attended St Thomas parish church.

His brother Fred and widow Lady Myra then unveiled the historic Heritage Foundation blue plaque to Secombe, who died from cancer in 2001.

His brother Fred, a vicar, said: "Harry was very proud to be a choirboy here.

"He gave people a lot of happiness. I'm proud to be able to stand up here and say I'm his brother."

Outside church, Sykes, said: "I would not have missed this because Harry and Myra have been my friends for as a long as I can remember."

He then joked with the crowd: "The one thing I would like to say about the plaque is Harry is going to have to read it upside down."

The ceremony was followed by a Comic Heritage charity lunch.

Published: 27 Mar 2004