Memorial service held for Mark Speight

Rex Features

Friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of Mark Speight at a memorial service in London yesterday.

Rolf Harris and Speight's SMart co-host Kirsten O’Brien were among well-wishers who turned out to pay tribute to the late children's TV presenter at the Parish Church of Saint Paul in Covent Garden.

His father Oliver, who described Speight as a "shining beacon", launched a foundation for artistic youngsters in honour of his son.

An emotional Rolf Harris performed a collection of his songs at the service, while well-wishers shared amusing anecdotes about the 42-year-old's life.

Speight hanged himself at London’s Paddington station in April, three months after fiancée Natasha Collins died from a drug overdose at the flat they shared in St. John's Wood.

> Obituary: Mark Speight