Neil

My dear friend, Neil, died today.

Though he'd been ill, it still came as a shock. Thank goodness he had his beautiful, wonderful, magical Harriet to help him through these past months. And that they had two brilliantly supportive families at their sides.

Seems strange that we're going on holiday today to his beloved Wales. It doesn't feel real.

Neil painted these portraits of Ruby and Wallis back in 2003 - they were a complete surprise - and typical of Neil's kind ways. Wallis is holding a bubble gun and the bubbles drift out of her portrait into Ruby's.

Talented, witty, wise, thoughtful... lovely Neil Haines, I'm going to miss you so much.