Former colleagues who worked with Kevin Lloyd in The Bill television series paid tribute to him at his funeral yesterday.
Chris Ellison, who used to play Frank Burnside, said he had been shocked to learn of Lloyd's death from a combination of diabetes and alcoholism.
Billy Murray, who plays Det Sgt Don Beech, described Lloyd as "one of the nicest you are likely to meet". Lloyd, who played "Tosh" Lines in the series, was remembered in a church service at Duffield in Derbyshire. The Rev David Wilkinson who conducted the service, said Lloyd's memory would be treasured by those who knew him.
British pop star Elton John was reported yesterday to have split up with his manager and confidant of almost 30 years.
British media reports said John (51) had parted company with Scottish-born John Reid after an acrimonious row over his career and financial affairs.
Experts are trying to establish if a 15th century painting of a pretty blonde with piercing blue eyes could be the first picture of France's national heroine Joan of Arc, Culture Ministry officials said yesterday.
The wall painting was discovered a year ago in a chapel at Joan of Arc's birthplace in Domremy, eastern France, where historians say she used to pray. The painting shows a teenage girl with blue eyes, full cheeks, blonde hair and peasant headgear kneeling beside a saint, Thiebaut de Provins.