FAMILY, friends and former colleagues of Colin Dexter packed Christ Church Cathedral to pay tribute to the much-loved Inspector Morse author.

Oxford Mail:

Following the 86-year-old’s death in March last year, and a private funeral, the author’s family decided there should also be a memorial service, and Mr Dexter’s wife Dorothy and daughter Sally were among those gathered on Thursday afternoon.

Oxford Mail:

Actors from the Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour TV series sat alongside Mr Dexter’s former colleagues from Oxford University’s Delegacy of Oxford Examinations, members of the Inspector Morse Society, and fellow crossword compilers.

Kevin Whately, who played DI Robbie Lewis in the Inspector Morse and Lewis series, paid tribute to Mr Dexter and his cameo roles.

He told the congregation: “His acting improved but he was always ribbed mercilessly and Colin always enjoyed that ribbing.

“He would turn up bubbling with enthusiasm, with a joke or a crossword clue that went sailing over our heads.

“It was always such a delight for us to have him on set - he was such a benign presence and lovely company.”

The 13 Morse books were translated into 29 languages and sold 4m copies in the UK alone, leaving an indelible mark on crime fiction.

Arriving for the service Laurence Fox, who played Det Sgt James Hathaway in Lewis, said Mr Dexter was ‘such a lovely man’ and described his cameos as ‘magical’.

Oxford Mail:

Abigail Thaw, daughter of the actor John Thaw who played Inspector Morse before his death in 2002, said the service was a ‘wonderful opportunity for everyone to pay their respects to Mr Dexter’. She appears in Endeavour.

John Thaw’s widow Sheila Hancock, also at Christ Church, said: “Colin was a very dear man and very sadly missed.”

Peter Waine, chairman of the Housman Society, of which Mr Dexter was a member, said the author and the poet famous for A Shropshire Lad shared a ‘cheeky sense of humour’.

Jonathan Crowther, setter of the Observer Azed crossword, praised Mr Dexter’s expertise as a crossword compiler and setter of crossword clues.

He said: “As near neighbours my wife and I became good friends with Colin and Dorothy.

“Colin was always extremely convivial, irreverent and ribald at times - he was a master craftsman in cluemanship.”

Dean of Christ Church the Very Rev Prof Martyn Percy said he met Mr Dexter on a number of occasions, including the time he opened Cuddesdon fete.

“He was witty, droll, beautifully self-deprecating and down to earth,” added the reverend, who led the service and described the author as ‘one of Oxford’s enduring treasures’.

Dr Antony Richards, chairman of the Inspector Morse Society, said Mr Dexter would have been “amazed at such a lovely turnout”.

Barrington Pheloung, who composed the Inspector Morse theme, was among musical performers, together with soprano Janis Kelly. Hymns included Abide with Me and Jesu, Lover of My Soul.

Following the service there was a reception in the town hall. Authors Philip Pullman and Val McDermid were among the guests and the reception included videos of Mr Dexter’s TV cameos.