Memorial service held to pay tribute to Mark Speight

Aug 7 2008 By Steve Johnson

LAUGHTER mingled with tears as friends and family gathered at an emotional memorial service to pay tribute to much-loved Black Country children’s TV entertainer Mark Speight.

Artist Mark, aged 42, originally from Wolverhampton, was found hanged in April, three months after the drug-related death of his 31-year-old fiancee Natasha Collins.

Mark’s father Oliver Speight, from Sutton Coldfield, described his son as a “shining beacon” during the service yesterday at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden.

Friends recalled anecdotes from Mark’s life, with an emotional Rolf Harris singing his hits as a tribute to his colleague.

Kirsten O’Brien, co-host with Mark of the long-running BBC3 show SMart, described her former colleague as “really special.”

Mark, who would have been 43 today, was found dead at a building near Paddington rail station on April 13, six days after an inquest into the death of Natasha.

Natasha was found dead in the bath at the flat she shared with Mark in St John’s Wood, north London, on January 3 after she had taken a lethal cocktail of alcohol, cocaine and sleeping tablets.

The 200-strong congregation at yesterday’s service also included former TV presenters Zoe Ball and Timmy Mallett and there was plenty of laughter and smiles as stories were recounted.

Mr Speight, paying tribute to his son, said that Mark had a beautiful ability to touch and reach out to children.

“Today is not only a celebration of Mark’s life but also that of Natasha. They were soul mates.

“Mark had a wonderful, charismatic manner and made us all laugh. He has also made us all cry.

“He was a shining beacon in our life.”

Rolf Harris, who worked with Mark on a project in Trafalgar Square, said it had been a joyful experience to work with him.

“I realise now that I never told him how much I appreciated his programmes.

“You realise you should always tell people what you think, you should tell them you love them because suddenly it might be too late.”

Rolf, who was a hero to Mark, sang Sun Arise, backed by a band complete with didgeridoos. He also did his version of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, wobble board in hand.

The service also saw the launch of SP8 Of The Art - The Mark Speight Foundation, to nurture artistic talent in youngsters. Go to www.speightoftheart.org for more details.