Funeral service held

Hundreds of people have said their farewells to Sir Norman Wisdom as his funeral cortege made its way through Douglas on the Isle of Man.

As well as the crowds that lined the street to see his horse-drawn hearse, more than 600 people, packed into St George's Church to hear the service.

Among the mourners were comedian Bradley Walsh, EastEnders actor Todd Carty and Michael Grade, the former chairman of the BBC.

Sir Norman's son Nicholas said ‘He was a very caring and loving father, always greeting us with a big kiss right to the end.’

Floral tributes were left alongside a bronze statue of Sir Norman in the town. One read: ‘You made us laugh, you made us cry, today we come to say goodbye.’

A book of remembrance will be left at Sir Norman's Bar in the Sefton Hotel, next to the statue.

Sir Norman, who died on October 4, aged 95, will be buried on Saturday in a private family service.

Published: 22 Oct 2010