‘Allo ‘Allo co-stars remember Gorden Kaye at hometown funeral

‘allo ‘allo actresses Vicki Michelle and Sue Hodge were among the mourners at co-star Gorden Kaye’s funeral in Huddersfield, England on Friday (17Feb17).
The British comedy actor, best known for portraying hapless bar owner Rene Artois in the Second World War-set sitcom, passed away aged 75 last month (Jan17) after a battle with dementia.
Vicki and Sue, who starred as waitresses and love interests Yvette Carte-Blanche and Mimi Labonq in the BBC comedy, were both among the family and friends who came to St Peter’s Church in his Yorkshire hometown to remember him.
Speaking to the reporters gathered outside the church Vicki said, “It’s such a sad day. He was loved by everyone, not just here but all over the world and you always think that person’s going to be there.”
She also told the BBC, “He was part of my life for 15 to 20 years, he was like family. Sometimes he’d play pranks, sometimes he’d be serious and other times he seemed quite lonely. There were so many different sides to him.”
Another star of the series, Kim Hartman, who played Nazi agent Helga Geerhart added, “We worked together for 10 years. We travelled the world together with the ‘Allo ‘Allo stage show. They were exciting times and I associate those with Gorden.”
Gorden’s coffin was carried into the church to the sound of Yorkshire anthem On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at, before the Vicar of Huddersfield the Reverend Canon Simon Moor conducted the funeral service.
The public memorial service at St Peter’s Church was followed by a private family service at Huddersfield Crematorium.
Gorden appeared in all 85 episodes of the beloved sitcom, which ran from 1982 to 1992, as well as a stage version.
In 1990 he suffered serious head injuries in a car accident during a major storm and required emergency brain surgery. His last screen role came in 2004, in BBC sketch show Revolver.