News | Entertainment
26 Dec 2025 12:31
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Bill Nighy led tributes to Sir Martin Amis at a memorial service for the late author

    The world-renowned writer, who was behind novels such as 'Time's Arrow' - which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1991 - passed away last year aged 73, and several stars attended a special remembrance service for the late novelist on Monday (10.06.24) at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, a Church of England parish church


    'Love Actually' star Bill - who is a huge fan of the author's work - gave readings from Martin's writings at the event, which was also attended by Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and his wife Polly Samson.

    According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Martin's widow, author Isabel Fonseca, gave an emotional speech at the service, and she was joined by the likes of fellow novelists Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan, and poet James Fenton.

    Sir Salman Rushdie, a friend of Martin, was unable to attend the service, but he penned a written tribute to his late pal.

    He said: "Only Martin sounded like Martin Amis, and it was unwise to try and imitate him.

    "He used to say that what he wanted to do was leave behind a shelf of books - to be able to say 'from here to here, it's me'.

    "His voice is silent now. His friends will miss him terribly. But at least we have the shelf."

    Following his death, Martin was posthumously knighted for services to literature.

    He passed away from oesophageal cancer in May 2023 at his home in Florida.

    Martin published 15 novels over the course of his career and was best known for his so-called London trilogy of novels, comprised of 'Money: A Suicide Note', 'London Fields', and 'The Information'.

    Speaking about his works in a 1985 interview, Martin said: "What I've tried to do is to create a high style to describe low things: the whole world of fast food, sex shows, nude mags.

    "I'm often accused of concentrating on the pungent, rebarbative side of life in my books, but I feel I'm rather sentimental about it. Anyone who reads the tabloid papers will rub up against much greater horrors than I describe."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     26 Dec: Brooks Nader slept with Gleb Savchenko on the first day they met
     26 Dec: Susan Boyle has been left "very flattered" after Timothée Chalamet praised her for dreaming "bigger than all of us"
     26 Dec: Adam Duritz's relationship with Courteney Cox was "really hard" because they "just weren't on the same wavelength"
     26 Dec: Jelly Roll has been pardoned over his robbery and drug convictions
     26 Dec: Russell Brand has called Katy Perry's new man Justin Trudeau a "globalist stooge"
     26 Dec: Brad Pitt spent his 62nd birthday with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon, who he is "more in love than ever" with
     26 Dec: Erika Jayne claims her estranged husband Tom Girardi is yet to divorce her because he is "incompetent"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Crusaders coach Rob Penney's revealed what's on his 'Dear Santa' wish list as he plots their Super Rugby title defence in 2026 More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Some good news on the horizon for cattle and sheep farmers More...



     Today's News

    Sailing:
    A New Zealand entry is expected to be right in contention for the overall race win at the Sydney to Hobart 12:27

    Entertainment:
    Brooks Nader slept with Gleb Savchenko on the first day they met 12:20

    International:
    When can you get a refund or exchange under Australian law? 12:07

    Cricket:
    Empathy for the English cricket team from what may seem an unlikely source 11:57

    Entertainment:
    Susan Boyle has been left "very flattered" after Timothée Chalamet praised her for dreaming "bigger than all of us" 11:50

    Entertainment:
    Adam Duritz's relationship with Courteney Cox was "really hard" because they "just weren't on the same wavelength" 11:20

    Soccer:
    Premier League football club Nottingham Forest are mourning the death of a club legend 11:06

    Entertainment:
    Jelly Roll has been pardoned over his robbery and drug convictions 10:50

    Politics:
    The Greens say they're after every vote possible - which could include pinching support from potential partners Labour and Te Pati Maori 10:47

    Rugby League:
    Steve Smith says he's feeling a hundred per cent ready to return to the Australian line-up for the Boxing Day cricket test in Melbourne 10:26


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd