Celebrating the life and work of Jeremy Lloyd, OBE
Jon Jacob
Editor, About the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Blog
A host of stars from the world of TV, screen, stage and music including Celia Imrie, Jerry Hall, Joanna Lumley, Bill Wyman, Vicki Michelle, Jon Plowman and Michael Grade gathered at St James Church in Piccadilly earlier today to celebrate the life of screenwriter and actor who died at the age of 84 in December last year.
The Reverend Lindsay Meader introduced the memorial service:
"We gather here today to celebrate and give thanks for the life of a remarkable man; a well-known and much loved husband, friend, writer, screenwriter, author, poet and actor whose legacy is a rich and varied canon of classic culture and comedy."
Friends, family and colleagues shared their stories of Jeremy Lloyd and read poems and stories by the writer including excerpts from The Woodland Gospels according to Captain Beaky and his Band, selected Captain Beaky poems and The Further Adventures of Captain Gregory Dangerfield.
Composer, lyricist and playwright Leslie Bricusse shared stories and anecdotes about Jeremy’s life during their time together living and working in the USA.
During his address Michael Grade (Lord Grade of Yarmouth, CBE) said:
“When I became Controller of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, I can vividly recall in desperation asking my transmission planner if there was anything in the cupboard. He gave me the pilot episode of “‘Allo ‘Allo” which he said “people’ (there are lots of these anonymous people at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ) were not sure about.
I am still laughing today. I ordered 13 episodes on the spot. What a great day it was for Britain when Jeremy and David Croft teamed up to give us “Are You Being Served?” and “‘Allo ‘Allo”. We would be a poorer nation without their contribution. Imagine a life without Mrs Slocombe’s pussy. Unthinkable
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“If you want to know who Jeremy actually was behind the party animal and the gregarious raconteur, I commend you to read Captain Beaky. His devoted wife Lizzy, says there is a lot of Jeremy in the stories and characters.”
Music played an important part in the service. Hymns included Dear Lord and Father of mankind and Lord of all hopefulness. Musician Jeff Beck played Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
After the service, there was a retiring collection for St James’s Church and UNICEF.