Sir Harry Secombe (1921-2001) - Known and loved around the world as Neddie Seagoon, Sir Harry Secombe must take the credit or the blame for defining comedy for a generation.

He and his Goon Show mates, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, and Michael Bentine made radio comedy not merely an art form but a language, a culture... a religion!

Sir Harry will also be fondly remembered for his fine Welsh tenor voice, which made the music of Christian praise a thing of beauty and found true glory in the music of the male voice choir.

He was knighted in 1981.

The very model of a jolly fat man, Harry Secombe's brand of jollity was a powerful thing, which taught by example that life is a thing to cherish and to celebrate.

He died at the age of 79, a victim of prostate cancer.

In the words of Prince Charles, himself a devoted fan, 'He will be profoundly missed by all those people who appreciate wit and unmalicious humour.'