'He defined the word love' - Inside moving service for Bill Kenwright as stars of theatre and football pay tribute

Major figures from football and the arts celebrated the life of a man hailed as a giant of both worlds.

Bill Kenwright was remembered as a loyal, generous and passionate figure by an A-List cast as hundreds filled the Anglican Cathedral to reflect upon his impact.

The 75 minute service featured heartfelt tributes to a figure who rose from the streets of Liverpool to become a renowned theatre impresario with influence on the West End and Broadway - as well as chairman of his beloved Everton Football Club.

Both of those passions were represented during a moving event that included performances by Marti Pellow and Mel C and touching words from Blues great Peter Reid and club captain Seamus Coleman.

An occasion that began with an organ recital of Z-Cars and ended with a rendition of Spirit of the Blues was fuelled by stories of the countless acts of support provided by Mr Kenwright, who died in October at the age of 78. The Dean of Liverpool, the Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones, opened proceedings by welcoming the congregation to remember "a beloved son of this city, to give thanks for his life, to comfort one another in our grief, in the presence of God and to celebrate his proud legacy."

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, then told of being given a lift back to London by Mr Kenwright after a midweek win at Reading in 2015. The Everton season ticket holder said Mr Kenwright spent the journey making personal calls to each of the players involved to discuss their performance - stating it was an experience that helped him to understand how the club had been able to inspire such loyalty from talented players coveted elsewhere, like Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines, both of whom were in the audience.

Mr Burnham concluded