The cream of the UK comedy scene has gathered to remember comedy svengali Kim Kinnie, who died earlier this year.

Kinnie was famously the booker at the Comedy Store in London and the tribute appropriately took place in the venue's current home in Oxendon Street just off Leicester Square. Kinnie was well known in the 1980s for handing out sage advice to up and coming stand-up comedians. He was also famous for usually having a glass of red wine nearby. 

The co-founder of The Comedy Store Don Ward delivered an affectionate speech and was - perhaps unsurprisingly – heckled by comedians in the audience, many of whom had performed at the Store over the years.

The event was organised by Ali Day, the wife of comedian Kevin Day. Kinnie was the godfather of their son Ed, who is a stand-up using the name Ed Night. Kevin Day has said that while Kinnie was literally a godfather to his son, he was also a spiritual godfather to a generation of great comedians.

Among those also present were Eddie Izzard, Arthur Smith and Paul Merton, who along with Kevin Day made speeches. Attendees also included Alan Davies, Sean Lock, Ainsley Harriott and Paul Boross (who used to perform as comedy duo the Calypso Twins), Hattie Hayridge, Julie Balloo, Phil Whelans, Phil Nice and Nick Revell.