`People always said I was OTT so I ought to go out in an OTT way'

From the Echo, first published Friday 29th Apr 2005.

SHOPPERS in Westbourne stopped in their tracks as the flamboyant funeral procession for '60s singing star Tony Weston passed by.

Mr Weston made his final journey in a silver casket carried in a horse-drawn carriage.

Heading the procession was a silver Mercedes, filled to the brim with flowers including those in the shape of a star bearing his name.

The carriage was drawn by four elegant grey horses and followed by five cars filled with mourners.

The procession did a circuit of Westbourne before heading to Wimborne Minster for a funeral service.

Mr Weston, who was once engaged to Poole Miss World Ann Sidney, died at his Branksome home on April 19.

After discovering he was dying of cancer, he planned his own funeral and told friend David Medina: "People always said I was OTT so I ought to go out in an OTT way."

The funeral was described by friends as "his final performance".

Mr Weston was a big name on the international cabaret circuit in the 1960s and, at the height of his fame, had a fan club with 10,000 members.

Ann Sidney contacted the Daily Echo from her Los Angeles home to tell of her sorrow at the news of Mr Weston's death and to say that she was unable to make it to the funeral service.

She said: "I am really upset that I cannot make it home in time. It was very short notice for me as I have only just got back to Los Angeles.

"Please relay my sincere sympathy to one and all. I am so very sorry."

First published: April 29