Tributes paid to Daily Mail writer Lester Middlehurst

Daily Mail colleagues turned out in force yesterday at a service at Lambeth Crematorium for the legendary star interviewer Lester Middlehurst, who died last month. Among them were columnist Baz Bamigboye and Mail executive Lisa Collins. Soho House manager Podge gave a eulogy and reminded the congregation that such was Lester's charm he was the first journalist to be allowed to join the private members' club. He also recalled how Lester was thrown out of a country pub for trying to proposition local farmers. There was obviously no hard feelings as some of the farmers were at the service too. In a move that Monkey – who enjoyed many of Lester's Soho House quiz nights – is sure he would have approved of, there will be a memorial evening at Soho House early in the new year.