Basil Brush delivered a heartfelt poem after making a surprise appearance at the funeral of actor Derek Fowlds.
The Yes Minister star, who died last month, aged 82, also appeared as Mr Derek on The Basil Brush Show for four years from 1969.
Basil was helped to the pulpit at the church in Holt, Wiltshire, by the Rev Andrew Evans, who said, “the star of the show was Basil Brush,” who “popped up from the pulpit” in a “very touching moment”.
Mr Derek by Basil Brush
'Mr Derek, Mr Derek, Mr Derek, what is a fox to do,
'I've gone and lost my Mister, won't be the same without you.
'How we always made 'em laugh, with sketches and with song,
'I'd interrupt, then disrupt, we went on far too long.
'Stars begged to see the show, that much is not contested,
'Big names of the 70s, even some who weren't arrested.
'You'd read a daring story about knights in shining armour,
'Bucaneering Basil and then Basil De Farmer.
'Companions upon the stage and friends when in the bar,
'But you were so talented dear friend, I knew you would go far.
'Just four years we did, it seemed so many more.
'But by Jove you made an impact, you always leave 'em wanting more.
'I'll interrupt no more old chum, the stage is now all yours.
'That sound we love, its all for you, for Mr Derek, applause.'
The funeral was attended by 180 mourners, including actors Clive Mantle and Richenda Carey and kid's TV star Basil later tweeted a copy of the poem.
Alongside it, he wrote: 'A lovely service with lots of old chums of TV & Theatre.
'Vicar helped me up to the pulpit so I could give a speech and recite a little poem to my dearest friend...
'RIP Mr Derek #DerekFowlds.'
Fowlds died in January after he suffered from pneumonia which led to heart failure caused by sepsis.
