Gerry Anderson funeral held in Reading

Hundreds attended the funeral of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson who also created science-fiction series Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and Stingray in Reading, UK, on Friday.

Gerry Anderson has been remembered as a “visionary of the future” by family and friends.

Gerry Anderson, from Henley-on-Thames, died last month, aged 83.

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 at Reading Crematorium was followed by a reception in Henley-on-Thames.

There was standing room only inside the chapel with the service relayed on speakers to more than 100 people outside.

They included mother and son Robert and Maria Zyderveld, who travelled from the Netherlands.

Robert Zyderveld said: “I’ve been a fan of Gerry Anderson’s TV shows for about 18 years.

“I always said that if I had the chance to be at his funeral, I would travel there no matter how far.

“It was a truly beautiful service and a great tribute to the man.”

A full-size replica of FAB1 – Lady Penelope’s pink Rolls Royce – was also on show outside the chapel.

Owner Melvin Jarvis drove from Leicestershire the night before to be at the service.

He said: “It still turns heads even after having owned it for a few years.

“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.”

A replica of Thunderbird 2 featured among the floral tributes on top of Gerry Anderson’s coffin.

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.”

Gerry 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.

“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.”