Keighley Shared Church was this week full to bursting with people paying their last respects to a "gentle giant" and friend to scores of musicians up and down the country.

Mike King died at his Riddlesden home on Monday, January 21, aged 53.

His death has touched the hearts of the hundreds who knew him through his work in the music industry.

This career stretched over 25 years and began when in 1976 he ditched his job has a textile designer to become a full-time musician.

As a drummer Mike played all over the country in shows, pantomimes and summer seasons.

He worked with such big names as Twiggy, Marti Caine, Bob Monkhouse and Diana Dors.

He opened his music agency - Mike King Entertainments - 20 years ago in Skipton, but continued to perform until the business took off and in later years with 'The Sound.'

He met Beverley, his wife, at a mutual friend's Christmas party in Cowling in 1979 and they married in 1981 - "much to Mike's disgust on cup final day," says Beverley.

The couple had one daughter, Jordanna, now 18.

They bought a pub in Skipton - The Inn Between, now called Henri's - in 1986, and sold it three years later when they moved to Riddlesden.

By now the agency was so successful that it was doing bookings for bands as far away as Scotland and Mike had employed two members of staff.

But last July doctors discovered a cancerous tumour in his bile duct, and despite chemotherapy treatment at Cookridge Hospital and care from Manorlands his health deteriorated.

Beverley has fond memories of the 6ft 3" gentle giant.

She says: "He was a very quiet gentleman. All his clients knew he was trustworthy.

"Five people including my daughter stood up in church to talk about him and actually got a standing ovation."

The church, which holds around 400 people, was so full that mourners had to stand down the sides of the aisles.

Donations to Manorlands and Cookridge Hospital from friends, family and colleagues have so far raised £590.

After the service Mike was cremated at Oakworth Cemetery.

Beverley has brought his ashes home and plans to put them in a flower tub with a rose tree so her husband can share in the garden he worked to hard to perfect.

"At barbecues we'll chat with him and throw him a glass of wine," she adds.

Mike's wish was for Jordanna to carry on the business in his name, which she will do after she finishes her A-levels.

Meanwhile Mike King Entertainments, now based at the family's Scott Lane home, is being run by his colleagues Wassef Massaad and Fiona Chapman, who took over when Mike became ill.

As well as his wife and daughter Mike leaves his 86-year-old mother, three brothers and a sister.