Ian Lavender's funeral with Dad's Army tribute as stars pay their final respects

01 March 2024 , 09:26

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The Dad's Army actor Ian Lavender was laid to rest on Thursday

Famous faces gathered in a tiny west Suffolk village on Thursday as Ian Lavender's funeral took place, with touching details to the late actor's most famous role part of his send-off.

Ian, the beloved actor best known for playing Private Pike in Dad's Army, passed away at the age of 77 earlier this month. He was the last surviving member of the main Dad's Army cast prior to his death being announced on 5th February.

The late star's funeral including heartbreaking nods to the character he played in the BBC series, with the Birmingham-born actor's coffin draped in the colours of his beloved football club, Aston Villa and mourners being treated to tear-jerking performances from household names.

Rick Wakeman from the band Yes, singer Alfie Boe and Tim Healy, known for Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Benidorm, were there to pay their respects at St Mary's Church in Woolpit. Reverend Ruth Farrell led the service, where heartfelt tributes were shared by Ian's son Sam Lavender and musician Rick Wakeman.

Ian Lavender's coffin, with hat and scarf in nod to Dad's Army and his beloved football club (Charlotte Bond / Newsquest / SWN SWNS)

Later on in the moving service, Wakeman and Alfie Boe performed a moving version of Bring Him Home. The congregation sang hymns like Dear Lord and Father of Mankind and Lord of All Hopefullness. As everyone left for the churchyard, the Dad's Army theme tune played on the organ. There were also special touches to remember his time the comedy, with an army hat placed on his coffin in addition to the Aston Villa scarf.

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A tweet from a Dad's Army social media account breaking the news of Ian's death earlier this month read: "We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of the wonderful Ian Lavender. In what truly marks the end of an era, Ian was the last surviving member of the Dad's Army main cast."

The tribute on Twitter (X) added: "His wonderful performance as Private Frank Pike will live on for decades to come. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter enjoyed by millions. We will dedicate this year's tour to his memory. Our thoughts and love are with Ian's wonderful wife Miki, their family and close friends."

Benidorm actor Tim Healy was in attendance on Thursday (Charlotte Bond / Newsquest / SWN SWNS)

Ian, from Birmingham, was just 22 when he first appeared in Dad's Army and went on to enjoy a successful acting career. Many fans also remember him from his time on EastEnders. He joined the BBC One soap in 2001 as Derek Harkinson, a gay friend of Pauline Fowler.

He appeared in over 200 episodes and later returned to Albert Square as a guest in 2016. Ian's final appearance on the long-running BBC soap was in 2017, before it was announced that he wouldn't be returning to the show. This was the last time Ian ever appeared on TV.

As news of Ian's death broke at the start of the month, BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: "Ian was a much-loved actor and will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. In his role of Private Pike, in Dad's Army, he delivered some of the most iconic and loved moments in the history of British comedy. Our thoughts are with his family."

Alfie Boe at Ian Lavender's funeral at St Mary’s Church in Woolpit (Charlotte Bond / Newsquest / SWN SWNS)

Before his death, Ian had suffered from ill health. He was previously married to fellow actor Sue Kerchiss from 1967 until their divorce in 1973. In 1993, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer - six days before marrying his second wife, American-born Miki Hardy. After getting the all-clear from cancer, Ian said in an interview: "We had been living together for 16 years and it was something I should have done a long time before, these things change you, they help you to see what is important in life."

The tumour was removed, but Ian then suffered a heart attack nine years later while reading an EastEnders script. He was rushed to hospital. "I just knew there was something very, very wrong. All I can say is I have never felt so dreadfully ill, and all in a few seconds," he said. He spoke about how his illness changed his outlook on life. "Look after yourselves, eat healthily and don't take any risks," he said. "Spread the word, someone you know might have this symptom and reminding them to get it checked could save their life - it saved mine, and I'm 70 and still happy to be working."

Rick Wakeman and Graham Cole outside St Mary’s Church in Woolpit, Suffolk (Charlotte Bond / Newsquest / SWN SWNS)

Ian once recalled how the best day of his life was when he got picked to play young Frank Pike in Dad's Army. Prior to bagging the iconic role, he'd been making £9 each week in a show at Canterbury Rep when someone walked up to him and cheekily said that he looked daft enough to be Pike.

"I was a complete beginner and I suddenly joined what was probably Britain's most experienced team of character actors," Ian said. "I was in a state of shock finding myself suddenly among so many great actors. When the moment came for me to speak, that funny voice of Pike just came out in a moment of panic."

"Since then at the start of every new series it has been one hell of a job trying to conjure it up again. But Private Pike took me from obscurity into the TV big time. I could never have achieved that if I hadn't learned to say: 'Ooh Captain Mainwaring, my mum said even if the Germans come I mustn't catch cold.'".

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The actor is survived by his wife and their two sons (Charlotte Bond / Newsquest / SWN SWNS)

He was often only called "stupid boy" by the grumpy Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), but the two actors grew a special friendship off screen despite their 30 years difference in age. In a Dad's Army episode The Deadly Attachment, Lavender's role played a big part in one of the top moments in British telly jest, after Captain Mainwaring tells his young soldier not to tell a German officer his name with the funny phrase: "Don't tell him, Pike! ".

Though once hailed as a "masterpiece" by The Times, it took four years for Dad's Army to really take off. The first reviews weren't that good, and the show almost got cancelled three or four times. In the end, 12 million people fell in love with the show, making the BBC call it one of their biggest comedy wins. It got so famous, it even got its own West End stage show and movie.

Ian's character was the youngest in the series, but his hair began to turn grey early due to a family trait. To maintain his youthful appearance on screen, he had to apply cream to his hair to give it a dark, glossy look fitting for a teenager during wartime Britain.

Ian is survived by his wife, choreographer and stage director Michelle Hardy, and their two sons, Sam and Daniel.

Zoe Delaney