Film director turned TV personality and food critic Michael Winner was laid to rest yesterday at what was described as a “moving service” at Willesden Jewish Cemetery in north London.

A statement released by the late star’s office was reported by Sky as saying "Michael Winner was buried today in a moving service at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, north London. If Michael had been alive to film it, he would have said 'Perfect, darling, perfect'. A cold wind whipped a flurry of snowflakes across the cemetery - a film director's dream."

Guests at the funeral were said to have included Sir Michael Parkinson and Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, as the man behind films such as Death Wish, was buried. Winner's personal assistant, Natalie Wright, said: "It was the most moving occasion. I've worked for Michael for the last five years and he would have loved the send-off." Winner had died at his home in Kensington, London on Monday (January 21, 2013); he was told in the summer of 2012 that he had between 18 months and two years to live following a problem with his liver. Packing in more than most to a life, Winner worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Marlon Brandon, Robert Mitchum and Faye Dunaway, before re-inventing himself as a restaurant critic in the 1990’s.

Michael Winner at the Palace Theatre in 2011

Michael Winner back in 2011