Mourners pay tribute to ‘fantastic’ Last of the Summer Wine star Dora Bryan

St George’s Church in Kemp Town, Brighton, was adorned with black and white photographs of the actress and a large screen at the front of the church displayed a slideshow of pictures of Bryan throughout her acting career.

Bryan, who was born in Lancashire, was known for roles in TV’s Last Of The Summer Wine and classic British movies like A Taste Of Honey. She died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, on July 23. aged 91.

Before the service, her son William Lawton, said: “She was a fantastic woman, a fantastic mother and loved by all.”

Mourners included actor Christopher Biggins, who described her as an “exceptional woman”. He added: “She was fantastic. A wonderful woman, a wonderful mother. She was a one off. She was as mad as a snake, she was loved and she was a very special woman. It’s not often you get in our business a star who’s so nice and is a true star. She really loved people and they really loved her.”

Bryan’s coffin was carried into the church to her voice singing Hello, Dolly! from the hit musical in which she starred.

People sang along and clapped and cheered before the Rev Andrew Manson-Brailsford began the service with the hymn Jerusalem. Ripples of laughter could be heard throughout the church as both of Bryan’s sons gave a eulogy.

Daniel Lawton described their happy childhood in Brighton and described their pride in all their mother had achieved.