Tearful adieu to ’Allo ’Allo star Gorden
’ALLO ’Allo! star Gorden Kaye was laid to rest yesterday with former cast members saying a tearful goodbye.
Two hundred friends and family packed the church in the proud Yorkshireman’s home town of Huddersfield for his funeral as his coffin was carried into church.
The Bafta-nominated actor died aged 75 last month in a nursing home after battling dementia.
Gorden, who played bar owner Rene Artois in the French Resistance BBC comedy which ran for 10 years, was described as a “shy man from Huddersfield who became a consummate performer and brilliant actor”.
At its height the series was watched by more than 16 million people.
And mourners at Huddersfield Parish Church, including cast members Vicki Michelle, Sue Hodge, Ken Morley and Kim Hartman, were told yesterday how his love of comedy and humour lasted right up to his death.
Coronation Street star Ken Morley, who played General Leopold von Flockenstuffen, said: “He was just hilarious.
“He could make you laugh and have you on the floor.
“The programme ran for 10 years – a lot longer than World War Two.
“It was like the War of the Roses when we were together. I am from Lancashire and he was a proud Yorkshireman.
“He ended up playing the Frenchman and I played the German.”
Gorden left school at 16 to become a salesman.
He then worked as a volunteer on hospital radio interviewing Cliff Richard, The Beatles and Ken Dodd on their visits to Huddersfield.
Gorden drifted into performing in amateur dramatics before becoming a professional actor.
Vicki Michelle and Sue Hodge, who played saucy waitresses Yvette Carte Blanche and Mimi Labonq, were joined by Kim Hartman, who played German officer Helga.
Vicki said: “Gorden was loved by everyone – all over the world.
“I hadn’t seen him for a few years. You always think people will always be there. Then they are gone. It is a very sad day.
“The programme was a wonder. We were all such good friends and would play naughty pranks on each other. They were good times.
“Gorden was just so funny and a brilliant person to work with. It was almost like we were married.”
Infectious
Speaking after the service, Vicki said: “He was definitely there looking at it, orchestrating it and he would have loved it.”
Sue said: “He was fantastic. I say to people, if you want to learn comedy get some repeats of ’Allo ’Allo! and watch Gorden.”
Kim Hartman said: “He had a very infectious laugh.
“We all had such a great time working together. He’ll be sadly missed.”
The vicar of Huddersfield, the Rev Simon Moor, said Gorden had returned to live in Yorkshire. He added: “He loved his roots and was always a Yorkshireman at
heart.”