Film world gathers to remember Lord Richard Attenborough

BBC NEWS
17 March 2015 Last updated at 09:53 ET



Lord Attenborough was among Britain's best-known actors and directors

Dame Judi Dench and Sir Michael Caine were among those who celebrated "a truly great man" of stage and screen.

Also attending were Alan Rickman, Jane Seymour and Sir John Hurt.

Lord Attenborough, a stalwart of the British film industry for more than half a century, died aged 90 last year.

Sir Ben Kingsley and Lord Attenborough's brother, TV wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough, were among those who spoke during the Westminster Abbey ceremony.

It was led by the Dean of Westminster, the very reverend Dr John Hall.

Hymns included Jerusalem, and there were bible readings from actors Tom Hiddleston and Penelope Wilton.

The service touched on all aspects of Lord Attenborough's life, including the influence his work had on the cultural fabric of the UK.

As well as his two Oscars, six Baftas and four Golden Globes, he was awarded the CBE in 1967, knighted in 1976, and made a life peer in 1993.

Sir David Attenborough read from Lord Attenborough's maiden speech in the House of Lords during the ceremony.

He said: "The arts are not a prerequisite of the privileged few; nor are they the playground of the intelligentsia. The arts are for everyone - and failure to include everyone diminishes us all.'"

The ceremony, which lasted just under an hour, was "absolutely perfect", said Dame Judi Dench.

"I think he'd have loved it," added Dame Penelope Keith, while Sir John Hurt called it "very moving" and "excellent".

"It was very uplifting and it was a testimony to his amazing gift," said Robert Lindsay, revealing that he "used to call [Lord Attenborough] 'the magician.'"



Lord Attenborough was married to actress Sheila Sim, with whom he had three children.

Tragedy struck the family on Boxing Day 2004 when his elder daughter Jane Holland, and her daughter, Lucy, and her mother-in-law, also named Jane, were killed in the south-Asian tsunami.

His son Michael is a theatre director and former artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in Islington, north London, while his daughter Charlotte is an actress.



READ MORE HERE: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31921689

Dame Helen Mirren tops over 50s style icon poll

28 November 2011 

Dame Helen Mireen has been hailed as the ultimate style icon for women over 50.

The Oscar-winning actress' classic, elegant and understated look saw off competition from internationally recognised 60s model Twiggy, to claim the title.

Making up the top five were actress turned activist Joanna Lumley in third, followed by Lulu in fourth and Dame Judi Dench.

A spokeswoman for Viyella, the clothing brand who commissioned the poll, said: ''Dame Helen Mirren has as much style, grace and elegance off screen as she does on it and is a fitting icon for the women of her generation.

''All too often we are bombarded with images of youth and temporary trends, so it's great to see such a varied list filled with women of real class.''

Former Spice Girl turned successful fashion designer Victoria Beckham was the youngest woman to appear on the list. The mum-of-four took a surprise spot just outside the top five, showing she has pulling power with those who appreciate refined fashion irrespective of age.

Out of 1,000 women polled, nine out of 10 admitted that they have started to enjoy shopping as they have got older. The same percentage said they took pride in their appearance and more than half said they never worry about dressing inappropriately for their age.

Pint-size pop princess Kylie Minogue took an impressive 12th place, while glowing talent show judge Amanda Holden clearly has the talent to take 14th.

A surprise name on the list is fashion conscious Samantha Cameron, the Prime Minister's wife, who followed bump-at-the-front Amanda Holden in 15th.

A Viyella spokeswoman added: ''Victoria Beckham has proven once again that she carries universal appeal.

''As the youngest woman in the results, she shows that women in their fifties aren't afraid to embrace younger styles when they're done the right way.''

''These results show that age really isn't a barrier to style or confidence. In fact, it can be quite the opposite.

''It's inspiring to see that many women over fifty are more comfortable in their self, confident in their style and brave enough to explore new clothing options.''

The full top 20 style icons for ladies over 50 is as follows:

1. Helen Mirren
2. Twiggy
3. Joanna Lumley
4. Lulu
5. Judi Dench
6. Victoria Beckham
7. Elle Macpherson
8. Carol Voderman
9. Carole Middleton
10. Nigella Lawson
11. Jane Seymour
12. Kylie Minogue
13. Susan Sarandon
14. Amanda Holden
15. Samantha Cameron
16. Demi Moore
17. Tess Daly
18. Elizabeth Hurley
19. Sarah Ferguson
20. Kate Moss

Female First