Gyles Brandreth tribute to 'fabulous' Lynda Bellingham

Sometimes sadness and celebration can go hand in hand. Here we are in this beautiful, amazing church in Michael's home town saying goodbye to lovely Lynda.

Brave, beautiful, brilliant, funny, fabulous Lynda. As we say goodbye to her in here, her book is No 1 bestseller. I think she would have liked to have gone out on a high.

I first met her nearly 40 years ago when we were introduced by Biggins. Of course, I fell for her at once. She was so funny and so sexy - even gay men fancied her.

Shakespeare has one of his leading ladies remind us that all things must die, passing through nature to eternity.

Lynda was an extraordinary force of nature, intelligent, gifted, generous, funny, feisty, open, honest, kind and caring.

I don't think I have known anyone more alive than Lynda Bellingham. She showed us how to live and in the last year or two of her life she taught us how to die - with grace, courage, humour and acceptance.

She rang me three weeks ago and said she was in a good place. 'I am sad for the boys and Michael but I'm all right'.

She was all right, she was the best and she was our friend. Aren't we the lucky ones?