A memorial service for enormously popular actor John Thaw, star of the Inspector Morse television series, brought together high-profile figures from politics, the arts and royalty on Wednesday. Eight hundred guests joined the star’s widow Sheila Hancock at a celebration of the actor’s life in St Martin-In-The-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square. John succumbed to throat cancer in February this year.
Prime Minister Tony Blair attended the tribute with his wife Cherie, the Prince of Wales and Lord Attenborough. Also present were former acting colleagues of the actor Kevin Whately, Maureen Lipman, Tom Courtney and Richard Briers and Morse creator Colin Dexter. Two hundred members of the congregation were fans of the actor who had been invited after sending their condolences to his widow.
“John was known to millions,” said Lord Attenborough, who directed Cry Freedom, one of Thaw’s rare film appearances. “About 20 million people watched him – there was a very great affection for John,” he said. Thirteen million viewers watched the last episode of the ITV1 show alone when it was aired in November 2000.
The actor was known for his humour – we often talked “as if we didn’t have any teeth” reminisced pal Tom Courtney – something which was evident in the choir’s rendition of a special arrangement of The Sun Has Got His Hat On, by Inspector Morse composer Barrington Pheloung.
A photograph of the actor gazed down from the altar upon the packed church which was festooned with flowers, and a recording taken from his last role as Captain Cook in a musical performance of Peter Pan was played. After the service, 60 balloons – one for each year of the actor’s life – were released over Trafalgar Square.
A bursary has been established in the actor’s name at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he received his training.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
