Stars mourn Danny La Rue

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Well-loved entertainers including Barbara Windsor, Ronnie Corbett, Barry Cryer and Joe Pasquale gathered today to celebrate the life of Danny La Rue.

The funeral for the female impersonator was held at the Catholic Church of Transfiguration in London and was attended by a host of familiar faces.

La Rue, who was once described by Bob Hope as “the most glamorous woman in the world”, had a 60-year career in showbusiness, during which he met and befriended some of Britain’s best known entertainers.

Born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Ireland, La Rue was the first female impersonator to perform at the Royal Variety Performance and was described by Noel Coward as “the most utterly charming man in the business.”

At the funeral, Barbara Windsor read out a poem written for La Rue on his 50th birthday by his long term partner Jack Hanson, who died in 1984, which included the line “I give you all my thanks and all my deepest love.”

Floral tributes were sent from stars who could not make the service, including Judi Dench and Paul O’Grady.