Ian Lavender was my best friend. We lived half an hour apart and my love of comedy and Perry & Croft in particular, was matched equally by his love of music and especially the piano. Ian had suffered with ill health for many years but always remained in good spirits.

I saw him just a few days before he passed away and we silently said our goodbyes as he held my hand. It was a very emotional moment and a few days later, on Friday morning, he passed away in the early hours…

The last survivor of Dad's Army, I was privileged to hear many of the stories that never made it into the public domain. He was rightly proud of being Private Pike and never ever tired of people shouting out "Don't tell him your name Pike" or "You stupid boy".

He was a lovely man and a very proud member of The Grand Order of Water Rats and was also a Master Mason in Chelsea Lodge. He cared deeply about these charities and I shall miss him dearly, but I, along with millions of others will always be able to watch him on the television as for sure, Dad's Army will still be on our screens long after I've departed this mortal coil…

On the day he died, I had this wonderful vision of Ian arriving at the Pearly Gates with all of the cast looking through at him and St Peter saying "Your name will now go in the book. What is it"? and Captain Mainwaring shouts back "It's alright Pike, you can tell him now."

Rest in peace my dear friend.

Rick Wakeman, 4th February 2024