Dale Winton funeral: Walliams and Souness among mourners

Winton died in April, and the service took place on what would have been his 63rd birthday.

Among those attending the ceremony to remember him were close friend David Walliams, Gloria Hunniford, Claire Sweeney and Anthea Turner, as well as Piers Morgan, and Graeme Souness.

The order of service revealed boyband Blue sung One Love, and Sweeney performed Alfie, recorded by Cilla Black in 1965, and Going Back by Dusty Springfield.

Tributes were given by Winton’s godsons Josh, Ben and Louis Linsey and by comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw.

Walliams, who was a close friend of Winton’s, read If You Go, also recorded by Springfield, while Martine McCutcheon read What Should Life Be?

:: ‘A sweet man’: Stars pay tribute to Dale Winton

TV presenter Matthew Wright revealed that in the tribute, comedian Culshaw alternated between his own and Winton’s voice as he read a poem.

He said: “I think he would have b****y loved it if I’m honest. The best bit was 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.”

Speaking after the funeral, Turner said the service was “beautiful” and that “Dale was there”.

She added, of Winton: “He would have been chuffed to have seen us all there.

“It was very emotional, but it was beautifully produced and polished. You wouldn’t normally say that but in this instance it’s worth saying, and the people who put it together did the most magnificent job.

“I’m truly glad I was there.”

Hunniford said she would remember Winton for “that tan, of course”.

She added: “A lot of people paid their respects. I think, when you get a shock when somebody dies suddenly and they are so young, the first thing you feel is, oh gosh I never got to say goodbye.

“And that’s why today was very special. We all got a chance, in our own ways, to say our own small goodbye to Dale.”

The funeral was held at Old Church in London. Pallbearers carried a white coffin covered in flowers into the building.

Winton was found dead at his home on 8 April. His death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Walliams described him as “the best company, always outrageous & hilarious”, adding: “He adored being in show business & loved meeting fans.”

Winton became a household name in the 1990s with his TV game shows Supermarket Sweep and National Lottery In It To Win It.