STARS from the world of films, TV and sport gathered in Bromsgrove on Friday to say Auf Wiedersehen to famous actor and former professional wrestler Pat Roach, who died after losing a six year battle against throat cancer.

It was his express wish in the funeral plans he personally drew up that the private service should take place at St John's church and he be buried in the town's cemetery. He died in Bromsgrove's new Primrose at the Princess hospice on July 17 aged 67.

Although born in Birmingham he loved the Worcestershire countryside.

He had a special affection for Bromsgrove, having lived near Tardebigge for a time a decade ago. He also spent many years raising pigs on a farm near Wychbold.

A friend said it is a place he loved, around here and Droitwich, and is convenient for his family to visit his grave.

In the late 1950s he took part in wrestling bouts in the town at the Plaza Cinema and Garrington's Social Club. He went on to become British and European Heavyweight Champion, but it was in his role as Brian "Bomber" Busbridge, in the hit TV series Auf Wiedersehen Pet, that he is best remembered.

He also made a successful transition onto the big screen.

With a distinctive red beard and six feet five frame he was dubbed the "gentle giant" by his friends. He appeared in a number of big films including the James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again and all three Indiana Jones epics.

Hollywood stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford phoned Pat's family to offer their sympathy.

The funeral cortege set off from Perry Hall hotel in Kidderminster Road where more than 200 mourners had gathered.

They included the cast of Auf Wiedersene Pet, who had broken off early from filming in Thailand to travel to Bromsgrove.

In addition to the hearse carrying the coffin and his family's floral tributes was another bearing a huge wreath made entirely from wild flowers.

The bearers were his former wrestling colleagues and world champion body builder, Sarah Bridges, whose husband Bill was a life-long wrestling pal of Pat's.

The service was conducted by St John's vicar the Rev Nigel Marns and the Rev Tom Pyke, vicar of St Paul's in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, where Pat was born.

Actor Christopher Fairbank (Moxey) read from Ecclesiastes and tributes were give by Bill Bridges, Shirley Thompson - Pat's biographer, Tim Healey (Dennis) while Kevin Whatley (Neville and Lewis in Morse) read Pat's favourite poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling.

After the service the mourners proceeded to the cemetery where actor and singer Jimmy Nail sang "Danny Boy" at the graveside and individual wild flowers where strewn into the grave. Tony Green, another life-long friend, paid his last respects by pouring a bottle of champagne over the coffin.

Shirley, who helped Pat plan the funeral and who wrote two books with him, said: "He loved this part of the world. It meant a lot to him because his family live here and because he used to live here. He also thought it was a beautiful place."

He leaves a widow Doreen, a son and a grandson.