THE King's final audience witnessed a variety show rather than a funeral, and he left them just the way he would have wanted – laughing.
Town funeral fit for a King

"It is one of the most moving, and most fitting farewells I've ever seen," said an emotional Daryl Somers. "Seeing this you realise the incredible love for Graham, and the way he touched us all."

Tears flowed both inside and outside the tiny sandstone Mittagong Playhouse.

Inside, about 70 of Kennedy's friends and TV industry names paid their respects in a moving, nationally telecast goodbye to The King.

Outside, fans, some of whom had flown in from interstate, joined 300 locals to watch the service on a giant screen.

Among those who gathered in the tiny NSW Southern Highlands town were Tony Barber, Steve Vizard, Ugly Dave Gray, Maggie Tabberer and Nine's Sam Chisholm.

Those who paid tribute to Kennedy included Stuart Wagstaff, John Paul Young, Noeline Brown, John Mangos, Graeme Blundell, Toni Lamond and David Williamson.

Long-time friend and In Melbourne Tonight colleague Bert Newton and Jack Thompson paid tributes via video link.

Newton said he knew Kennedy for 50 years after the pair met in 1955 doing radio.

But Newton said descriptions of his good friend as a "recluse" were way off the mark.

"My memory of Graham Kennedy is not just as that wonderful television personality, but somebody with whom it was terrific to spend time," he said.

"A lot of people said he was a recluse. I know that Noeline (Brown) and Tony (Sattler) don't agree with that, nor do I.

"He was private and he was shy, but that doesn't make someone a recluse."

Newton thanked Brown and Tony Sattler for looking after Kennedy over the years.

"He was very lucky to have friends like you . . . and I know you considered yourselves lucky that he was your friend," Newton said.

Before the service began, a series of Kennedy's favourite show tunes filled the courtyard alongside the theatre.

Ethel Merman belted out Everything's Coming Up Roses along with classic favourites The Party's Over, The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music, and Put on a Happy Face.

From a large screen at the back of the stage a young Graham Kennedy looked down on the sea of faces and the coffin surrounded by flowers.

Close Kennedy friend and Coast To Coast colleague John Mangos broke down as he recalled their friendship.

"I just wished he'd have loved himself as much as we loved him," said Mangos, voice breaking with emotion.

Mangos said Kennedy would have secretly loved yesterday's service.

"Would he have loved the fuss? He'd have said not, but inside he really would have," Mangos said. "As much as he rejected love, he craved it.

"He loved being a star and . . . he certainly loved the applause."

John Paul Young sang Love Is In The Air and Toni Lamond belted out I Believe In You.

Noeline Brown dabbed away tears as Stuart Wagstaff took a swipe at 3AW's Derryn Hinch.

In reference to Hinch's accusation that Kennedy had died of an AIDS-related illness, Wagstaff said this "is the second Kennedy assassination in our time . . . and the second that failed."

Kennedy's comedy writer Mike McColl Jones drew huge applause and laughter for his reading of a fax "from Graham in Heaven".

McColl Jones also hit out at Hinch with a reference to Graham being "outed" by the talkback host. "I've got a flash for him," McColl Jones read from his fax from Graham, "It's rife up here."

As the strains of Kennedy singing For All We Know drifted down the main street of Mittagong, St Kilda footballers Nick Riewoldt, Aaron Hamill, Fraser Gehrig, Luke Ball, club president Rod Butterss and coach Grant Thomas carried the coffin from the Playhouse to the hearse to a growing crescendo of applause.

"I know Graham will be proud of this," said a tearful Noeline Brown as the hearse pulled away to a rousing "three cheers for Graham" from the 300-strong crowd.

Rather than a time of sadness, the farewell was a celebration of a life that brought so much laughter to a nation.

"Graham defined television," said Steve Vizard.

"I grew up watching him, wanting to be like him. He's the reason so many of us got into the business. This has been an incredible experience."

It was a farewell The King would have been proud of -- a live, outside broadcast; entertaining, full of emotion, and on time. Kennedy's ashes will be scattered at sea.

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