A PRIVATE funeral was held in London today for the Isle of Wight film-maker Anthony Minghella.
The 54-year-old, who famously won an Oscar for directing The English Patient, died in the early hours of March 18.
He suffered a fatal haemorrhage at the capital's Charing Cross Hospital after undergoing an operation on a growth in his neck.
The service for his family and 100 invited mourners was held at Golders Green crematorium on the day his beloved Portsmouth Football Club reached the FA Cup final for the first time since 1939 by beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at Wembley.
Among those present were Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his predecessor Tony Blair and the Duchess of York.
Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Renee Zellweger were joined by British screen names Jude Law, John Hurt, Bill Nighy, Kristin Scott Thomas and Alan Rickman.
Mr Minghella was best known for the multi-Oscar winning film The English Patient, for which he received the best director honour.
His last completed work was an adaptation of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, based on the book by Alexander McCall Smith. The film was broadcast on BBC1 on Easter Sunday.
A memorial service is expected to be held in the near future.
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