News | Entertainment
24 Dec 2025 14:18
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
     24 Dec: Prosecutors in Los Angeles have vowed to "pursue justice" following the "shocking and tragic" murder of Rob Reiner and his wife
     24 Dec: Billy Crystal will miss Rob Reiner and his wife Michele "forever"
     24 Dec: Dick Van Dyke "didn't sleep" after the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner
     24 Dec: Jennifer Lopez has felt like a "lightning rod for nice things and a lot of negativity"
     24 Dec: Sydney Sweeney plans to "travel" over the festive season
     24 Dec: Travis Kelce has been urged to "step away from the game for a little bit" before making a decision about his future
     24 Dec: Michelle and Barack Obama were due to meet Rob Reiner and his wife Michele on the day they died
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Aussie surprise packet Joe Comito has lost his second round World Darts Championship clash against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock in London More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Pressure builds on Milano Cortina organisers amid climate concerns and funding issues More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    Aussie surprise packet Joe Comito has lost his second round World Darts Championship clash against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock in London 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Prosecutors in Los Angeles have vowed to "pursue justice" following the "shocking and tragic" murder of Rob Reiner and his wife 13:50

    Health & Safety:
    New data suggests free routine dental care for under-18s is being underfunded by around 60-million-dollars 13:47

    Motoring:
    Auckland's New North Road in Kingsland's blocked, after a pickup truck's collided with several vehicles 13:27

    Entertainment:
    Billy Crystal will miss Rob Reiner and his wife Michele "forever" 13:20

    Law and Order:
    A person's been seriously injured after an assault outside Christchurch's Racecourse Hotel in Sockburn 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Dick Van Dyke "didn't sleep" after the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner 12:50

    National:
    It’s (not) a new bike! How to manage kids’ gift expectations at Christmas 12:27

    Tennis:
    Michael van Gerwen is safely through to the third round at the world darts championship in London 12:27

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Lopez has felt like a "lightning rod for nice things and a lot of negativity" 12:20


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd