Tributes paid to Burns ‘the best’
Mourners, including fellow drivers and television presenters, packed into St Luke’s Church in Chelsea, to hear the sportsman, who died last month, described as “the best.”
The 34-year-old died on November 25, four years to the day after being crowned England’s first and only World Rally Champion.
He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2003 after passing out at the wheel of his car on the way to the Wales GB Rally. He had surgery in April this year but slipped into a coma last month before dying with his girlfriend and family by his bedside.
During an hour-long service readings were made by Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson and sports presenter Steve Rider, while tributes were paid by his close friend Colin McMaster.
Mr McMaster told the congregation that Burns had fought hard against his illness and had great support from his girlfriend, Zoe Keen.
He said: “He showed great bravery, dignity, determination and courage and most importantly of all humour in his greatest fight of all.”
Tributes to Burns’ driving abilities were made by rallying commentator Jon Desborough, who called him “the best.”
Born in Reading, Burns made his rallying breakthrough in 1990 and became the British Championship’s youngest winner in 1993.
In 1998 he took part in his first World Rally Championship with Mitsubishi and later moved to Subaru, the team with whom he won the World Championship in 2001.
He switched to Peugeot in 2002, but had not raced since he became ill in 2003.
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