A host of stars turned out for the funeral of one of King Charles’ favorite entertainers, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, who died “unexpectedly” last month.
The screenwriter, performer and composer was known for his work on shows such as The Vicar Of Dibley and the 1987 film Maurice, which starred a young Hugh Grant.
His management confirmed he died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on February 6 while listening to BBC Radio 3 at the age of 65.
He was preparing with longtime collaborator James McConnel for a cabaret show they were scheduled to perform that night.
The royal family were huge fans of Hesketh-Harvey’s work and at a service yesterday at St Paul’s Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, his son Rollo read part of a letter he had received from the monarch his father was acting for .
Kit Hesketh-Harvey was known for his work in shows such as The Vicar Of Dibley and the 1987 film Maurice, which starred a young Hugh Grant
At a service yesterday at St Paul’s Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, his son Rollo read part of a letter he had received from the monarch his father was acting for
Alan Titchmarsh was one of the prominent guests at St. Paul’s in Covent Garden yesterday
Rollo and his sister Augusta were joined on the front bench by their mother Kate Rabett, 62, a former Bond girl, hot gossip dancer and friend of Prince Andrew
Hesketh-Harvey and his wife on their wedding anniversary in 1986 – but they split during the pandemic after she became close to Old Etonian financier Ian Harrison
Rollo said: “King Charles speaks of a true polymath who is greatly loved and admired and whose wonderful humor and comic genius have contributed so much to our general well-being. It is a tragedy that he was taken from us all too soon.”
Rollo and his sister Augusta were joined on the front bench by their mother Kate Rabett, 62, a former Bond girl, hot gossip dancer and friend of Prince Andrew.
She and Hesketh-Harvey married in 1986 but split during the pandemic after becoming close with Old Etonian financier Ian Harrison.
Rabett and her husband shared a three-story Georgian vicarage in a Norfolk village for 35 years.
Hesketh-Harvey moved into the sacristy of the church he owned across the street from their marital home.
Some 500 mourners at the service were led at the King’s request by Dame Penelope Keith, 82, who played social climber Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life and upper class Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton in To The Manor Born.
Bestselling author Lord Jeffrey Archer was also in attendance, while Oscar winner Sir Tim Rice, 78, arrived with his ex-lover Elaine Paige, the singer and actress.
Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, was among the social figures including TV personality Jodie Kidd, 44.
Her older sister, model and makeup artist Jemma, Marchioness of Douro, 48, was accompanied by her boyfriend, financier Arpad ‘Arki’ Busson, 60.
One of the pallbearers was Hesketh-Harvey’s nephew Henry Sands, whose father, acclaimed actor Julian Sands, has been missing since January after disappearing while on a solo hike in California.
Henry’s mother is Sarah Sands, former editor of Radio 4’s Today program and the London Evening Standard.
She recalled: “As Vanessa Redgrave once said, ‘Grief is a strange and unfamiliar landscape. We will all travel there.’
Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer was among the society figures in attendance
Bonnie Langford was among the stars at St Paul’s in Covent Garden yesterday
Gyles Brandreth also joined the mourners in St Paul to mourn the death of Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Dame Penelope Keith led mourners to the service at the King’s request
Model and makeup artist Jemma, Marchioness of Douro, 48, was joined by her boyfriend, financier Arpad ‘Arki’ Busson, 60
Oscar winner Sir Tim Rice, 78, arrived with his ex-lover Elaine Paige, the singer and actress
TV personality Jodie Kidd was among those paying tribute to the legendary entertainer
Rabett and her husband shared a three-story Georgian vicarage in Norfolk for 35 years
Kit Hesketh-Harvey and Katie Rabett on their wedding day at Canterbury Cathedral in 1986
McConnel announced the death of Hesketh-Harvey last month and shared a statement on the official Facebook page of her cabaret act, Kit and McConnel, which read: “It is very sad to report that we lost Kit over the weekend .
“Wonderfully extravagant, multi-talented writer and lyrical genius, performer, musician, director, cabaret partner – and friend for over four decades.
“The funniest, gentlest man I’ve ever known. He brought joy and laughter to so many. RIP old mate.’
Following the news, stars from the entertainment world offered their condolences to the family and reminisced about their time with the screenwriter.
Lyricist and author Sir Tim Rice tweeted: “Tragic news that Kit Hesketh-Harvey has passed away. Delightful guy, charming, funny, the lyricist’s lyricist, a cross between Michael Flanders and Stephen Sondheim.
‘And a good musician. And fun on the beaches of Barbados or having lunch in Savoy. And much more. REST IN PEACE.’
The Yvonne Arnaud Theater in Guildford, Surrey, where Hesketh-Harvey was a regular performer, also paid tribute to the “extremely funny and kind” actress and screenwriter, tweeting: “Everyone at the Yvonne Arnaud Theater is devastated to learn of the actor’s death. Composer and Author Kit Hesketh-Harvey, our beloved friend and colleague.
“A regular on the Arnaud stage in our annual pantomime, usually in the role of the villain, and with his cabaret act Kit and the Widow and later Kit and McConnel.
“He and his partner James McConnel were one of the first acts on the Arnaud stage when we reopened following the pandemic closures.
“Kit was talented, cheeky, witty, fearless, extremely funny and kind. Our audience and everyone who knew him and worked with him will miss him greatly. Our thoughts are with his family.”
After graduating from the University of Cambridge, where he was a member of the comedy sketch troupe Cambridge Footlights, Hesketh-Harvey produced a series of art documentaries for BBC TV Music and Arts.
He later wrote screenplays for Merchant Ivory, including Maurice, with subsequent projects including Full Throttle and The Vicar Of Dibley for Tiger-Aspect, Hans Christian Andersen for Hallmark, and The Lost Explorer for Tim Walker.
Bestselling author Lord Jeffrey Archer was also present with his wife Mary
Ukip leader Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine were among the mourners
Former news anchor Angela Rippon came to pay her respects to Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Model, racer and TV personality Jodie Kidd, 44, right, attended the service
Kit Hesketh-Harvey and his wife Katie Rabett at the Royal Court 30th Anniversary Party at Kensington Roof Gardens, west London in 1986
The screenwriter, performer and composer was known for his work on shows such as The Vicar Of Dibley and the 1987 film Maurice, which starred a young Hugh Grant
Hesketh-Harvey has been nominated three times for the Olivier Awards in the West End with his musical comedy duo Kit and the Widow.
They have acted in the musical extravaganza Y at Piccadilly Theatre, Salad Days at Vaudeville Theater and Tomfoolery and Cowardy Custard and have been seen frequently in the West End and internationally as accompanists of US comedian Joan Rivers.
In 2011, they starred in the inaugural BBC Comedy Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, their final appearance on stage together.
A statement from PBJ Management, who represented him, said: “We are devastated to learn today of the death of longtime friend and client of PBJ Management, Kit Hesketh-Harvey. Kit died unexpectedly but peacefully while listening to Radio 3 preparing for a Kit & McConnel show tonight.
“As a customer for over three decades, Kit was a uniquely talented and learned artist, writer, composer, wit, singer, actor, all-around entertainer and most importantly, a devoted father.
“Peter (Bennett-Jones, founder of PBJ Management) originally knew the friendly, clever Kit from university and toured the UK and US with him in 1978’s The Comedy Of Errors.
“He joined the agency when it was formed in the late 1980s. Kit’s performances in Edinburgh on Kit and the Widow and Kit & McConnel for over 40 years are legendary and consistently one of the city’s funniest shows.
“He will be greatly mourned by so many people who were fortunate enough to have known this special man.
“We wish his entire family and friends our deepest sympathy and condolences at this very sad time. Kit left indelible, happy memories for all of us and he leaves an unfillable void in all of our lives.”