STARS from showbusiness, television and politics turned out in force to remember Hampshire broadcaster and award-winning documentary maker Desmond Wilcox.

His widow, presenter Esther Rantzen, and four of his children led tributes at the memorial service to the man who helped establish popular, gritty, investigative TV reporting.

Among the stars attending yesterday's service in central London was Sir Paul McCartney with girlfriend Heather Mills, broadcasters Terry Wogan and Michael Parkinson.

The congregation at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, was told that Mr Wilcox, who died in September, had left specific instructions that it was to be a happy occasion.

Laughter echoed round the church as friends and colleagues told amusing jokes and sang witty songs which had been dear to the broadcaster's heart.

Paying a personal tribute to Mr Wilcox was David Jackson, who was the subject of what was probably his most famous documentary.

The Boy David told the story of a young South American child who had terrible facial deformities.

It followed his long painful journey through the reconstructive surgery needed to rebuild his face.

Mr Jackson, now 26, said: "He became part of my family and he learned what deformity meant in terms of misery, pain but also love and happiness.

"He knew that if families facing the same problems could see us it might bring comfort to them.

"I think I love him most because I knew that he loved me just the way I am, just because it is me."

Mr Wilcox, a father-of-six, who lived with Esther Rantzen in the New Forest village of Bramshaw, died aged 69.

As well as being a renowned documentary maker, he was a tireless charity worker for good causes including Southampton-based Wessex Heartbeat, which raises thousands of pounds for people with cardiac problems. Terry Wogan also warmly recounted amusing anecdotes about the man who rose to become one of the most powerful executives at the BBC.

Wilcox, who was born a Roman Catholic, later converted to his wife's faith of Judaism.

His local rabbi, David Goldberg, told the congregation that he would remember him as a "charmer'' who was dedicated to his art, his craft and his faith.

Ms Rantzen explained that while her husband would have wished today to be a happy occasion, he would also have wanted to remember the memorial service taking place for murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor.

"Tragically this is not the only memorial service today,'' she said. "At this moment across London they are remembering a ten-year-old boy, Damilola Taylor, whose life was savagely and cruelly cut short.

"All Desmond's life he battled to protect children from pain and saved children's lives. It would be his wish if we had one minute's silence.'''

The service ended with a rendition of Wilcox's favourite Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

But the congregation remained silent during the line, Five Gold Rings, which Rantzen explained had always been her husband's special forte.