It was a funeral service like no other. Drag artiste Phil Starr bowed out as he had lived - with raunchy songs and jokes amid deafening cheers and applause.

The performer was laid to rest by hundreds of mourners who wanted to say goodbye to a man who was known for his great presence both on and off the stage.

There were tributes from friends including actress June Brown, better known as EastEnders' Dot Branning, and others who all remembered Phil's magnetic personality, his kindness and his ability to make anybody smile.

There were tears, laughter and even a song performed by Phil himself, fittingly a recording of The Party's Over by Jule Styne.

The service took place at St Mary's Church in St James's Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, yesterday afternoon.

The funeral procession started from his home, Starr's Hotel in New Steine, which Phil had recently taken over. Leading the way was a car full of flowers, including a wreath in the shape of a star.

Phil's coffin was transported in a white carriage drawn by two white and two grey-white horses followed by Cadillacs with shaded windows.

Mourners on foot battled through wild, wet and windy weather to say goodbye.

One suggested their friend might have laughed at the sight of his loved ones in their most dignified clothes chasing their umbrellas and hats to the church.

Workers came out of nearly every shop and business in St James's Street to watch the procession, described by a long-standing friend as "Brighton's version of a state funeral".

The large chamber in St Mary's Church was full to overflowing, with many more standing in the entrance and the street outside.

At the front of the church was a giant picture of Phil as he was best known - in a wig, diamond earrings and a stunning evening dress that would make Shirley Bassey proud.

The service, also attended by EastEnder Hilda Braid, who plays Nana Moon, was conducted by Rev Nigel Mason, vicar of St Mary's.

The congregation sang traditional songs - All Things Bright And Beautiful, Amazing Grace and Jerusalem -- and heard recordings of some of the songs for which Phil was famous and which he performed so well.

His coffin was carried into the church to All The Boys I Loved Before and was carried out to his trademark The Old Bazaar In Cairo.

During The Party's Over, Phil's voice was heard urging everyone to treat everyone to some kind words and a smile.

Brian Ralfe, who knew Phil for 25 years, began his tribute with a joke his friend used to tell, in which an elderly woman says to her husband: "Let's go upstairs and make love."

The man looks at her incredulously and replies: "Well, I can't do both."

Brian, a businessman and producer from The Drive, Hove, said: "Phil Starr was not only my friend. He was everyone's friend. He was a person with so much love and kindness.

"He would make every person feel like the most special person in the world."

Brian said he spent most days with Phil, walking up St James's Street, hanging around and going for coffee. They also went on many holidays together.

Brian said: "We had so much fun. I think about you constantly. Starr's Hotel really was a new beginning. It was a horrible thing for you to leave us. You were one of the special people. They broke the mould when they made you. God bless you."

David Raven, another good friend of Phil's, said the size of the congregation was "mind-blowing". Through tears, David shared his own thoughts and quoted what had been written on some of the cards received after Phil's sudden death on October 17.

He said: "You had a really nice smile connected to a warm heart. We shared some wonderful memories.

"There was so much laughter and amazing love. You were a light shining brighter than any star.

"You really were an amazing man. I feel so lucky to have been given the gift of knowing such a special man."

June Brown recalled the last time she saw Phil and dropped him off at Victoria station. The pair had been working on a gay sitcom for the BBC written by Matthew Westwood who, she said, thought Phil was a genius.

She said: "I wish the sitcom had come off and everybody had seen how marvellous you are."

Lee Tracey, another old friend, read a eulogy describing how Phil had first started dressing in drag aged 16. After they got over their initial shock, his parents were very supportive and the family remained close.

Phil joined the Army and ended up in the typing pool before entering a life of showbusiness, initially performing at Chepstow Theatre with Danny La Rue.

Phil, born Arthur James Fuller on March 31, 1932, took on his stage name after his long-term partner Phil died.

Lee, the writer and director of Brighton's The Alternative Panto, said: "He was a man who loved people. He loved an audience. He wanted an audience and he worked an audience.

"He didn't do the same old tosh day in, day out. He changed it. He was new. He made it sound fresh. He was a joy to write for and he was a joy to work with.

"He never stood there and had a tantrum. He was a lovely, lovely guy - the ultimate entertainer.

"We need to wrap ourselves in his warmth and memories."

After the service, Brian said Phil would have been stunned at how many people came to say goodbye.

He said: "It was very moving. It really was like a Brighton version of a state funeral.

"The weather won't have dampened anything today. Everyone was in high spirits, determined to give Phil a good send off."

Brian said he would particularly like to thank Rev Nigel Mason for his "superb service", funeral director Teresa Baker for "pulling all the stops out" and Peter Storrow and Tony Chapman for making it all possible by contributing most of the money.

Tony Chapman is the owner of Legends in Marine Parade, now closed for refurbishment, where Phil performed his last gig on Sunday, October 16.

There will be a tribute night to Phil at the Dome Concert Hall, Church Street, Brighton, on January 29.

Donations may be made in his name to The Sussex Beacon or Shoreham Dog Trust via Teresa Baker, Caring Lady Funeral Director, 155 Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 3LG.