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Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson's funeral held Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson's funeral held
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson. Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson has been remembered as a "visionary of the future" by family and friends.
Mr Anderson, who also created science-fiction series Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and Stingray, died last month, aged 83. Hundreds attended the funeral of the man who also created science-fiction series Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and Stingray in Reading earlier.
A service at Reading Crematorium will be followed by a reception in Henley-on-Thames. Fans and former colleagues also attended. Mr Anderson, from Henley-on-Thames, died last month, aged 83.
A full-size replica of FAB1 - Lady Penelope's pink Rolls Royce - was on show outside the chapel. Fans travelled from across the country, as well as from overseas to be at the funeral which featured tributes from former Thunderbirds cast and crew.
The service was relayed on speakers to about 100 people outside. The service at Reading Crematorium was followed by a reception in Henley-on-Thames.
'Gift of entertainment' There was standing room only inside the chapel with the service relayed on speakers to more than 100 people outside.
The coffin arrived with a replica of Thunderbird 2 made out of flowers on top. 'Great tribute'
During the funeral, arrangements of the Thunderbirds and Stingray's Aqua Marina theme tunes were played while fans got to see some of the original puppets. They included mother and son Robert and Maria Zyderveld, who travelled from the Netherlands.
Anderson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010 - a condition which worsened in the months before his death. Robert said: "I've been a fan of Gerry Anderson's TV shows for about 18 years.
Son Jamie Anderson delivered a eulogy at the funeral. "I always said that if I had the chance to be at his funeral, I would travel there no matter how far.
Speaking before the funeral, he said: "We've been overwhelmed by the response since his death. "It was a truly beautiful service and a great tribute to the man."
"There's been hundreds of emails from around the world and it's amazing to see how far and wide my dad had an impact. A full-size replica of FAB1 - Lady Penelope's pink Rolls Royce - was also on show outside the chapel.
"Two things have really shone through - people were so grateful for the gift of entertainment he gave to children while the science-fiction side opened up a whole new world to many. Owner Melvin Jarvis drove from Leicestershire the night before to be at the service.
'Broke mould' He said: "It still turns heads even after having owned it for a few years.
"For some, it led them into making career decisions, pursuing dreams of a life in technology or space exploration." "I have to try and drive it away from motorways usually to avoid too many people driving alongside trying to take pictures of it while they're driving."
Thunderbirds was filmed in a small studio on Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire. A replica of Thunderbird 2 featured among the floral tributes on top of Mr Anderson's coffin.
'Broke a mould'
Son Jamie Anderson was among the coffin bearers and read a eulogy during the service.
He said: "I have never been more proud of my father than the day he faced up to his battle with Alzheimer's.
"He battled it head-on and came out very publicly speaking about how it had affected his life."
Mr Anderson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010 - a condition which worsened in the months before his death.
He became a supporter of the Alzheimer's Society and helped raise the charity's profile at fundraising events across the country.
During the funeral, arrangements of the Thunderbirds theme tune and Aqua Marina from Stingray were played.
Thunderbirds first aired on TV screens in 1965 with the action filmed in a studio on the Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire.
Shane Rimmer, the voice of Thunderbird pilot Scott Tracy, said: "It was a truly unique experience.Shane Rimmer, the voice of Thunderbird pilot Scott Tracy, said: "It was a truly unique experience.
"Gerry's office was like the Oval Office at The White House at times, such was the mystique of the place."Gerry's office was like the Oval Office at The White House at times, such was the mystique of the place.
"Thunderbirds really broke a mould as it was one of the first TV shows that had appeal on both sides of the Atlantic.""Thunderbirds really broke a mould as it was one of the first TV shows that had appeal on both sides of the Atlantic."
Matt Zimmerman, who voiced Alan Tracy, added: "I was terrified of Gerry when I first recorded episodes of the series.
"But when we first met, it was quick to see he was a man with a great sense of humour who would put you at ease straight away.
"He was a man of vision and of the future.
"Thunderbirds began as a job for me, but it soon turned out to be something sensational that left a true lasting legacy."