HUNDREDS gathered last night at a church in Oxford to celebrate the life of legendary journalist, Bill Heine.

Family, friends and fans attended a memorial service at University Church of St Mary on High Street, to pay their respects to the writer who undoubtedly left his mark on the city.

Mr Heine died on April 2 aged 74 after he had been diagnosed with a terminal form of acute myeloid leukaemia in 2017.

His death prompted fond memories of his lengthy but ultimately successful fight to keep a fibreglass shark in the roof of his house in New High Street, Headington, in 1986.

BILL HEINE: The Oxford broadcaster's life in pictures

Despite living with the disease for almost two years, he continued to write a weekly column for the Oxford Mail where he documented his battle.

Tributes continued to pour in last night at the service organised by Mr Heine's partner Jane Hanson.

Oxford Mail:

The celebration started with the congregation singing Jerusalem before Reverend Charlotte Bannister-Parker gave a few opening remarks.

The evening was full of humorous tales of when Mr Heine worked as a journalist at BBC Oxford Radio as well as his role being a husband and father.

One story told by the Reverend was about when Mr Heine managed to get into the reception of the funeral mass of President John F Kennedy at Washington DC.

She said: "By mistake he head butted Richard Nixon. He said he never had been afraid of anyone or anything ever since."

Ms Hanson spoke of how they met 35 years ago. She said Mr Heine joked about how funny their names - Jane and Bill - sounded together saying they were 'such terrible names'.

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Oxford Mail:

She added: "Bill delighted in becoming a father when his son was born. Our first grandchild was born two months after Bill died. On April 1, he wrote: 'You are not yet born and I am not yet dead. I hope you grow up thinking the impossible is possible'.

She also spoke about her final moments with Mr Heine when he took his last breath as they listened to a song that he loved called Macrimmon's Lament which folk star Isla St. Clair sang following her tribute.

Others who gave tributes included friend of Mr Heine, Doris Heffron, who told of how the journalist never liked to dispel rumours, had 'extraordinary empathy' for others and always knew the best restaurants in Oxford.

She closed her remarks saying: "The truth about Bill Heine is that he enriched our lives."

Oxford Mail:

Keith Mitchell, ex-leader of Oxordshire County Council, also spoke at the service saying Mr Heine's secret was 'preparation' and that he always did his homework and was able to make senior councillors 'quiver in their boots' because of his daring interviews.

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Music was an important part of Mr Heine's life which was reflected by the musical items in the service.

A guitar duet, by Gerald Garcia and Alison Bendy, performed a Chinese song called Spring Breeze and Amantha Edmead sang Down by the River Side and Blackbird allowing the congregation to reflect on Mr Heine's life.

Elise Benjamin, ex-mayor of Oxford, said Mr Heine had a mischievous, entertaining and warm spirit.

She said: "Please don't rest in peace - it won't suit you."