Farewell to Dale
TEARS AND LAUGHTER AS STARS MOURN TV HOST
LAUGHTER mingled with tears yesterday as star guests mourned Supermarket Sweep host Dale Winton.
David Walliams, Gloria Hunniford and Martine McCutcheon were among leading mourners at the humanist funeral service for the 62-year-old, who died last month.
There was not a dry eye at the church in central London as Claire Sweeney belted out the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song Alfie followed by Going Back, a Carole King lament first recorded by Dusty Springfield in 1966.
But impressionist Jon Culshaw sparked laughter during a reading by doing an impression of Dale.
He said later: “I was asked to speak and to have sections where I would take on Dale’s voice. At first I said, ‘Are you sure?’
“His friends and family said, ‘Yes, of course – to hear his voice, that’s really what we want’.”
TV presenter Matthew Wright said: “I think Dale would have bloody loved the funeral. The best bit was with Jon Culshaw at the end.
“He read a poem and he did it alternating between himself and Dale Winton and when he hit the Dale words it was like having him there.
“For all the intents and purposes it was his voice in the room... wonderful.”
Tony Blackburn, Christopher Biggins, Matt Lucas, Steve Allen, Anthea Turner, Vanessa Feltz and her partner Ben Ofoedu, Piers Morgan and former football star Graeme Souness also attended the service on what would have been the star’s 63rd birthday.
The funeral was held at The Old Church, Marylebone.
Walliams gave a reading of If You Go, also recorded by Springfield, while Ms McCutcheon read the poem, What Should Life Be?
Winton’s godsons Josh, Ben and Louis Linsey gave a tribute and boy band Blue performed their hit One Love.
Dale’s white coffin adorned with white roses was taken from the church at the end of the service to the strains of Amen Corner’s 1969 hit If Paradise Is Half As Nice. Gloria Hunniford said later she will always remember Winton for “that tan, of course”.
Anthea Turner said the service was “the most beautiful hour-and-a-half”.
Tony Blackburn said: “He was a lovely guy, I knew him very well and it was very sad.
“He should still be here. I’ll always remember him as a very nice guy.”
Winton, who suffered depression, was found dead at his home in north London on April 18.
His death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
He became a household name with TV game show Supermarket Sweep and the National Lottery show In It To Win It.