Only Fools and Hearses! Del Boy superfan takes final journey in yellow Reliant Robin funeral car with crematorium staff dressed as Batman and Robin
An Only Fools and Horses superfan was laid to rest in a yellow Reliant Robin hearse – while even funeral staff dressed as Batman and Robin to pay their respects.
When retired painter and decorator Eddie Joyce died of heart failure at the age of 72 his grieving family were determined to give him a ‘cushty’ send-off that celebrated his personality – and the hit TV show.
Instead of a traditional affair, guests were invited to wear bright colours to the great-grandad-of-three’s funeral featuring floral arrangements spelling ‘legend’ and featuring a pint of Guinness.
One of Eddie’s daughters, reiki healing practitioner Victoria Ridgwell, said she and her four siblings wanted to represent their ‘joker’ dad and commemorate his life.
Only Fools and Horses superfan, Eddie Joyce was laid to rest in a yellow Reliant Robin hearse – while even funeral staff dressed as Batman and Robin for the themed funeral
Victoria, from Windsor, Berkshire, said: ‘He was a bit of a Del Boy character, he was old school and a bit of a cheeky chappy.
‘He was very chatty, very loveable and unique. Not a lot of people were like him, he would give you the coins in his pocket if you didn’t have it.
‘The funeral totally reflected his character. He loved Only Fools and Horses, we were brought up on it as well, we watched it all the time.
‘We also decided on Only Fools and Horses because we’d all do fancy dress on Christmas day – one year my brother Jay and my dad went as Batman and Robin from Only Fools.
Retired painter and decorator Eddie Joyce died of heart failure at the age of 72 his grieving family were determined to give him a ‘cushty’ send-off that celebrated his personality – and the hit TV show
‘On the day, one [staff member] wore my dad’s Batman outfit and then we ordered the Robin outfit for the other.
‘It represented my dad and what he was like, he was always a joker. It was obviously heartbreaking but we knew he’d love it.’
Not only did Eddie love watching the cult classic, but he also included it in his working life – with comedy touches included on his work van.
On the front of his van the names ‘Del’ and ‘Dave’ were stuck above the driver and passenger’s seat.
Funeral director Rob Newman wore Eddie’s costume while funeral services operative Stephen Newell wore a Robin outfit – in homage to the 1996 Christmas special
On the side it read ‘New York, Paris, Slough’ alongside Del’s iconic catchphrase ‘Lovely jubbly!’.
At the back there were two pictures of inflatable dolls and the tagline of being ‘specialists in chandelier cleaning’ – making reference to two famous episodes.
Victoria, 50, said: ‘We wanted Dad’s funeral to be different to reflect his personality, we didn’t want it all sombre and black.
‘You could wear what you wanted. Lots of people came in colourful things and in band t-shirts it – was more like a celebration of his life.’
Funeral director Rob Newman wore Eddie’s costume while funeral services operative Stephen Newell wore a Robin outfit – in homage to the 1996 Christmas special
Eddie’s funeral, held on July 18th, was arranged by E Sargeant & Son and held at Slough Crematorium who organised the Reliant Robin hearse.
Funeral director Rob Newman wore Eddie’s costume while funeral services operative Stephen Newell wore a Robin outfit – in homage to the 1996 Christmas special.
Funeral Arranger at E Sargeant & Son, Pam Wilson, said: ‘The family were so wonderful, it was an honour to give them what they wanted for their dad.’
