TYPICAL Brian.

These were the words of many of the hundreds of people who piled into a packed Downs Crematorium to bid farewell to the iconic Brian Ralfe.

Such is his popularity, dozens stood outside to listen on loudspeakers.

Draped in a Union Flag, Brian’s coffin was carried into the crematorium on Bear Road, Brighton, to the sound of Shirley Bassey’s I Am What I Am.

Father John McCormack welcomed the procession and Brian’s sister Julie Bean spoke of their time growing up.

She said: “Just look at all these people, Brian. You really are the star of the show, the centre of attention.

“Life was never dull with Brian, and as one of six children there was plenty of noise, plenty of scraped knees and plenty of telling off by Dad.

“Brian was a shy, giggly little boy, and his hair spiked up in the front so he used to use water to stick it down – his vanity had started early.”

She spoke fondly of their time at Bevendean School and of a house party Brian threw in 1967 – dubbed his first venture into production.

She added: “He was proud to have served his country, but listening to his stories, you could have sworn he won the battles all himself.

“He had a heart bigger than his personality. He would love the fact you’ve all turned up here today for his final performance.

“We all miss you, Brian, and our lives will be duller without you, but you’ll live on in our hearts.

“I love you, Brian. Sleep tight, and God bless.”

After a rapturous round of applause, Mike Mendoza, a friend and business partner of 25 years, paid tribute.

He spoke glowingly of his friend’s quirks, and said he will miss the days Brian turned up at his house to devour a load of doughnuts because of his diabetes and the Alternative Pantomime, which he starred in.

The speakers then resonated to the sound of It’s Raining Men, as family and friends clapped along to the disco classic.

Father John concluded by saying: “We must leave a part of Brian here, but of course the journey doesn’t end here; you carry with him all your memories.

Among the mourners was Eastenders legend June Brown, who said it felt like she had lost a son.

She said: “I’ll remember him very fondly, but it still doesn’t seem right.

“I should have died before him – I’m much older than he was; it’s almost like my son dying.”

As well as members of Pride and the Alternative Panto, Sussex Beacon chief executive officer Simon Dowe said Brian’s death will be a huge loss.

PROFILE

Brighton born-and-bred, Mr Ralfe, 70, of Eaton Manor in Hove, was one of six children born to a father who worked on the buses and a lollipop lady mother in Bevendean.

Beyond the glamour and laughs of his panto and drag act The Glitterbugs, Mr Ralfe was also a merchant seaman, sandwich shop owner and taxi driver.

Having served on the Royal Fleet Auxilary ship Engadine during the Falklands and supplied munitions during the First Gulf War, he donated his war medal to Brighton Museum in 1996 and made an emotional return to the territory in 2012.

He died last month on holiday in Egypt.