THE FUNERAL of one of TV’s most successful producers and directors was held in Poole after he passed away from Covid-19 at a Ferndown nursing home, aged 85.

Peter Harris, who was born in Gosport, was responsible for some of the small screen’s most popular shows including Bullseye, the Muppet Show, Sesame Street and Spitting Image.

He discovered Lenny Henry on New Faces, worked on Celebrity Squares, Tiswas, Family Fortunes, Crossroads, Fifteen to One and a variety of other shows in a career spanning five decades.

A small number of mourners were allowed to attend Poole Crematorium for his funeral, arranged by AE Jolliffe & Son.

However, stars including Chris Tarrant lined up to remember Peter.

Chris said: "He was extraordinary; one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. I’m pretty sure I would not have stayed in television without Peter Harris."

Peter’s sister-in-law, Denise Sherer, who has lived in the area since 1976, said: "Peter and his partner Drew – my brother - came down in 2018 because they needed someone to look after them.

"Peter began his career as a floor manager, then became a stage director, director and producer. He was very successful.

"He was a lovely and really likeable man, but was a perfectionist about the way he worked.

"In recent years he suffered from Alzheimer’s, had kidney disease and died from a nasty strain of Covid.

"Despite numbers being restricted the funeral was a celebration of his life, and we had messages from lots of famous people whom he had worked with over the years.

"Jolliffes the funeral directors were amazing and provided a Rolls-Royce hearse so Peter could go out in style. He loved driving his."

Peter’s wish was that his ashes would be scattered with his mum and dad in Portchester.

Donations in Peter’s memory are for the Alzheimer’s Society or RSPCA, and can be made here: www.funeraldirector.co.uk/peter-harris