Star leads tributes at funeral of radio presenter
ROB Brydon led the heartfelt tributes to much-loved Radio Wales presenter Alan Thompson at his funeral in Cardiff – saying there was “no-one else” like his long-time friend.
The much-loved DJ and Welsh music champion died after a short illness, aged 54, and Mr Brydon, who started his radio career alongside Thompson on Radio Wales and the Radio 5 youth show Rave in the early 1990s told the packed congregation at St Isan’s Church in Llanishen how special the DJ was to him.
In an emotional eulogy the comedian spoke about how they began working together and became the best of mates from the off.
“Al stood out from the beginning,” said Mr Brydon. “We hit it off from the beginning and got on so well. We both loved music – and we both loved comedy. It was with Al that I started to blossom. It was where (Mr Brydon’s famous comedy character) Keith Barrett began. He was Tony and I was Keith.
“We would laugh ourselves silly and he made me feel like I was Peter Cook. He was so supportive. He was always pushing me forward and I have so many happy memories.”
In a touching ceremony, a packed congregation – that included many of his Radio Wales colleagues such as Wynne Evans, Owen Money, Eleri Sion, Oliver Hides, Chris Needs, Roy Noble, Sue Charles and Behnaz Akhgar, as well as editor of BBC Radio Wales Colin Paterson and BBC Wales chief Rhodri Talfan Davies – listened to Mr Brydon describing his friend’s unselfish generosity and his penchant for sending gifts.
Throughout the hour-long service there were also lovely and funny tributes paid to the Radio Wales presenter by his brother, Colin, who spoke about the pair’s childhood in Cardiff and how his brother’s love of music shone through from an early age, and Radio Wales deputy editor Paul Forde, who extolled his colleague’s wonderful wit and charm.
There was also a performance from Steve Balsamo and Rosalie Deighton, two of the performers who Alan Thompson had championed on his radio shows over the years.
Mourners left the church for the committal at Thornhill Crematorium followed by a wake at the New House Hotel in Thornhill.