'Freddie could talk about everything under the sun...but just not himself'

FREDDIE Forsyth was hailed by the actor Robert Powell as a unique man who enriched the lives of those around him as friends and family paid tribute at the funeral of the best-selling writer, journalist and Daily Express columnist.

- By Matt Nixson

More than 100 mourners gathered at Chilterns Crematorium in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, yesterday before repairing to Freddie's favourite pub, The Jolly Cricketers, in nearby Seer Green where The Day of the Jackal author spent many happy hours ensconced with the newspapers in his “crossword corner”.

Thrilling

The author of more than 25 books, also including The Odessa File and The Dogs of War, Forsyth died at home in Buckinghamshire aged 86 on June 9 after a short illness.

His life was every bit as thrilling as the novels that sold 70 million copies and delighted readers around the world. But Powell, 81, who shared a 35-year friendship with Forsyth whom he described in a moving eulogy as one of his “closest friends” admitted the modest superstar rarely talked about it himself.