Family and friends gathered yesterday to celebrate the life of Sunny Rogers, the lifelong stage partner of funnyman Frankie Howerd.

The veteran variety artist, aged 92, died just before Christmas at a nursing home in Lancing. Mourners at the service at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, included Dennis Heymer, who was Howerd's manager and partner before the comedian's death in 1992.

Reverend Cynthia Park, of the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, led the service, which included words from Sunny herself entitled: "To those whom I love and those who love me, a message from Sunny", and a tribute entitled "To my aunt Sunny" read by Roger Heap.

There was also a valediction from the showbiz sorority The Grand Order of the Lady Ratlings, of which Sunny was once the "Queen", written by Charlie Chester and read out by current Queen Ratling Laura Collins.

Sunny, who lived in Brighton, had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

She spent her life in showbiz and was respected among her peers for her comic timing. Born Jessie Rogerson in 1913, she was famous for putting up with Howerd's on-stage putdowns for most of her career.

Sunny, who got her nickname because of her smile, became friendly with Howerd in 1946 after appearing in a variety review with him and Max Bygraves.

She began acting in sketches with him and by 1960, had started accompanying him on the piano in his act.

They toured this country and abroad.

Sunny last appeared on stage with Howerd in his acclaimed one man show at the Garrick Theatre in London in 1990.