Funeral for musical star Kirkwood

Pat Kirkwood has always denied a relationship with Prince Philip

Monday, 7 January 2008, 14:06 GMT

The life of West End musical star Pat Kirkwood has been celebrated at her funeral in West Yorkshire.
More than 100 mourners were led by the star's 91-year-old fourth husband, Peter Knight.

The singer's voice rang out through the church as the congregation listened to her version of You'll Never Walk Alone.

Kirkwood, who died on Christmas Day at the age of 86 in a nursing home in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, had enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades.

In the last years of her life, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and, in August 2004, became a resident at private nursing home Kitwood House, where she died.

The singer's coffin, decorated with yellow roses and white lilies, was carried into the church by four pallbearers.

'British Ethel Merman'

Speaking at the funeral, Kirkwood's friend and royal biographer Michael Thornton spoke of Noel Coward's admiration for the star and quoted Cole Porter's message to her: "You may sing any song of mine at any time for the rest of your life."

Mr Thornton said after the funeral that Kirkwood was the "British equivalent of Ethel Merman".

"She never did rubbish, she only did quality music. She belted songs out and changed the style of the British leading lady," he said.

The service at All Saints Church in Bingley was followed by cremation at Nab Wood Cemetery and Crematoria in Shipley.

Kirkwood was born in Lancashire and made her professional debut at the age of 14.

A year later, in April 1936, she made her first appearance on stage - billed as The Schoolgirl Songstress - at the Royal Hippodrome, Salford.


He was so full of life and energy. I suspect he felt trapped and rarely got a chance to be himself
Kirkwood on Prince Philip
Obituary: Pat Kirkwood

By 1945 she had been signed to Hollywood studio MGM but her first film flopped.

She recovered with a triumphant 1947 UK return, appearing in Starlight Roof at the London Hippodrome.

And in 1950, Noel Coward wrote the West End musical Ace Of Clubs especially for her.

In 1954, she became the first female star to have her own one-hour series on British TV - The Pat Kirkwood Show.

Also in 1954, she broke box office records with a sell-out three-month cabaret season at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.

Kirkwood and her then-boyfriend met Prince Philip backstage at a show in 1948 when the Queen was eight months pregnant.

She later recalled: "He was so full of life and energy. I suspect he felt trapped and rarely got a chance to be himself. I think I got off on the right foot because I made him laugh."

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