"JACK has left us the way he would have wanted," said comedian Johnny Beattie, speaking before the 900 people who packed the pews of Ayr's Auld Kirk yesterday.

"He's got a full house - as usual."

Beattie was talking about Jack Alexander, half of the famous Alexander Brothers tartan music duo from the village of Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, who wowed audiences in the UK and across the globe over almost 60 years.

Tom and Jack - Jack was the blond, younger brother - once sold more records than the Beatles in Scotland, and were so successful they played the London Palladium, the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall.

However, Jack Alexander, who suffered a stroke some weeks ago before his death last Saturday at the age of 77, was not just a performer who won over the paying public; the turnout of family and friends confirmed his popularity.

The Scots showbiz luminaries who filled the Auld Kirk in Ayr included Sydney Devine, Mary Lee, Christian, Russell Lane, Glen Michael and comedian Eddie Devine.

Also paying their respects were radio presenter Tom Ferrie and Radio Clyde's George Bowie, whose father Ross Bowie managed the Alexander Brothers in the 1960s and 1970s, and launched them on to the international circuit.

Jack's wife Lilian, a former dancer and actress, had a poem read out, a poignant reflection on their life together. It said: "You'll never stop singing; we'll still hear your voice, From painter to artist - you made the right choice.

"You know we all love you - especially me; Rest in peace my darling husband, Jack Alexander MBE."

Alexander died in the Ayrshire Hospice, Ayr with his family around him.

His surviving brother Tom was supported by mourners yesterday while his grandchildren wrote a poem to their "Papa Piano" and read it out in the church.

The service, led by Reverend David Gemmell, reflected the fun personality of Alexander, who lived in Prestwick.

The opening music was a mix of rock 'n' roll and ceilidh.

Indeed, the Alexander Brothers began life as pop singers, before it was suggested their future was better served as tartan troubadours.

And in his tribute, Beattie kept the laughs flowing when he revealed how he had first come across "this cocky young duo" in 1966.

"I noticed a poster up outside the Palace Theatre in Dundee heralding their arrival," the River City star recalled.

"I'd never heard of them. But I was intrigued because they were billed as 'The Fabulous Alexander Brothers . . . Live, From The Café De Paris.' I later discovered the Café De Paris was an ice cream shop in Wishaw.

"How could you fail to like a couple of boys like this with such a sense of humour?"

The applause in the church confirmed Beattie's rhetorical question.

Beattie added: "They didn't act like big stars, it was just such a joy, such a delight to know them.

"Jack will never be forgotten, Lil knows that and all the family and our presence here today says it all.

"He'll be so sadly missed but certainly never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Jack."

At the end of the service, Alexander's voice was heard singing Nobody's Child, the duo's 1960s number one hit, the story of an unloved and abandoned little boy.

And those gathered to pay their respects agreed it was the perfect song with which to end the service.

While Nobody's Child may have reminded mourners of the Alexander Brothers' sense of humour in choosing a country and western tearjerker to record, it also revealed Jack's vocal talent.

And its story of a little unloved boy proved the perfect contrast to the singer himself, a man clearly loved by so many people.