GOODBYE GOODBYE
FORMER castmates of ’Allo ’Allo! legend Gorden Kaye said goodbye at his funeral.
The actor, who played café owner René Artois in all 84 episodes of the BBC classic, died last month aged 75.
Hundreds lined the streets outside the parish church in his home town of Huddersfield yesterday as his coffin was carried in topped with a purple and pink wreath.
Speaking ahead of the service, Vicki Michelle – who played saucy Yvette CarteBlanche – said: “It feels like the end of an era, but it’s not because we’re still going.
“He was such a big part of our lives for such a long time. We had so many memories, but I think of when he was being a bit of a prankster.”
Former Coronation Street actor Ken Morley, who played General Leopold von Flockenstuffen in the smash-hit sitcom, added: “I am going to miss him.
“Between Gorden and myself it was like the War of the Roses because he was from Yorkshire and I was from Lancashire.
“We had a laugh together. He was a very funny guy.” And Kim Hartman, who played Private Helga Geerhart, said: “I have so many fond memories of Gorden and his infectious laugh and this incredible giggle he had. “He was just such a nice, cheery man and we had such a good time together and on the television show.”
More than 300 packed into the church for the service. At the end, the coffin was carried out to a medley of Gilbert and Sullivan songs.
The actor was given a final round of applause as the hearse took his coffin away for a private burial.
In the show, long-suffering René was caught between the Gestapo and the Resistance opposing the Nazis.
The actor, who also had parts in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Are You Being Served? was seriously injured in an accident in 1990 when a piece of wood smashed through his car windscreen.
He was left with a scar on his forehead, but no memory of the accident.