'No words for how missed he will be': Comedian Jeremy Hardy's family and friends - including actress Juliet Stevenson and Jeremy Corbyn - say last goodbyes at his Dorset funeral

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The funeral of comedian Jeremy Hardy (pictured) has taken place in Dorset after his death from cancer earlier this month

The funeral of comedian Jeremy Hardy has taken place 'by the sea in Dorset' after his death from cancer earlier this month.

The 57-year-old comic was laid to rest during a private ceremony attended by several well-known names including Labour leader and 'life-long friend' Jeremy Corbyn.

A regular guest of radio and TV panel shows such as Mock the Week, Hardy died on February 1 following a private battle with terminal cancer.

He was buried in Purbeck, a peninsula south of Bournemouth, on Monday.

Actress Juliet Stevenson wrote on Twitter: 'We buried Jeremy Hardy yesterday. By the sea in Dorset. No words for how missed he is, will always be.'

The comedian, from north Hampshire, began his stand-up career in 1984 and was a regular on BBC4's The News Quiz.

In a statement earlier this month, Mr Hardy's publicist Amanda Emery said: 'Friends and family of comedian Jeremy Hardy are immensely sad to announce that Jeremy died of cancer, early on Friday 1st February. 

'He was with his wife and daughter as he died. He retained to the end the principles that guided his life; trying to make the world more humane, and to be wonderfully funny.

'He will be enormously missed by so many, who were inspired by him and who laughed with him. A fitting memorial will take place, details to be announced soon.'

Dozens of tributes were paid to the comedian online, with other stars in TV calling him 'a masterclass' and 'ground-breakingly brilliant.'

Actress Juliet Stevenson wrote on Twitter: 'We buried Jeremy Hardy yesterday. By the sea in Dorset. No words for how missed he is, will always be'

The 57-year-old comic was laid to rest during a private ceremony attended by several well-known names including Labour leader and 'life-long friend' Jeremy Corbyn (pictured)

Pointless star Richard Osman wrote: 'I was very lucky to work with Jeremy Hardy early in my career.

'Every day was a masterclass, a privilege. He was so naturally and brilliantly funny, and a man who chose to use his comedy to change the world, rather than to fill stadia. A very sad day. #RIPJeremy'

Jack Dee, who worked with the comedian on several projects, wrote: 'Jeremy Hardy was ground-breakingly brilliant, off the register funny, compassionate and caring.

'So privileged to have counted him as a dear friend. My love goes out Katie and Betty and all his wonderful family. x'

Mr Hardy won several awards throughout his career including the prestigious Perrier Award in 1988 and best live act at the ITV Comedy Awards in 1991.

He also appeared as Corporal Perkins in an episode of the BBC comedy Blackadder Goes Forth in 1989.

As well as comedy, Mr Hardy was an author and columnist. He wrote for London's ES Magazine and The Guardian newspaper.

Mr Hardy, pictured left with wife Katie Barlow in 2009, also wrote for the Guardian and had won several awards during his career including best live act at the ITV Comedy Awards in 1991

Mr Hardy sparked concern among fans when he tweeted radio presenter Danny Baker in January saying 'I'm dying. Cancer. Docs say anytime'

In January Mr Hardy sparked concern among fans when he tweeted radio presenter Danny Baker about 'dying' and having 'cancer.'

The comedian followed the worrying tweet with another saying he was 'fine' and just 'tweeting a tiny bit on nonsense from exhaustion.'

Two days later he then wrote: 'Dear All, I am fine. Sent dopey s**t out. Was half asleep watching NHS cancer drama with Alison Steadman called Care.

'Was waking and tweeting. My brain is now as sharp as it will ever be. The Prime Minister is Clement Atlee.'

Danny Baker announced he had beaten cancer of the mouth and throat in 2016 - six years after he was first diagnosed with the disease.

He had to undergo intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy on his mouth, which left him without saliva glands.

Today Mr Baker tweeted about what was shared online in January, saying he had missed the original post which he thinks was supposed to be a direct message.

He wrote: 'Just seen a tweet that the blessed Jeremy Hardy sent me a few weeks back. In it he tells me he hasn't got long, I think he meant it as a DM.

'I didn't see it at the time and so never responded. Nothing to be done now.'

The tweets came after Mr Hardy cancelled his 2018 UK tour due to 'due to personal circumstances.'

The comedian was planning to appear at several venues including Bristol Old Vic, the Pocklington Arts Centre in York and Nottingham Playhouse.

During his more than 30 years in comedy, Mr Hardy appeared on numerous sketch shows and programs, working with big names in show business.

In 1996 he teamed up with comedian Jack Dee to write Channel 4 sketch show Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives.

They later worked together again on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. He also appeared on Jack Dee's Helpdesk.

His political views were often evident in his work and he regularly expressed support for the Socialist Alliance.

In 2004, Burnley Council cancelled one of his performances after Mr Hardy said in an episode of Speaks to the Nation that supporters of the British National Party (BNP) should be shot, reports the BBC.

Mr Hardy was also one of the supporters of the early release of Danny McNamee, who was found guilty of the IRA's 1982 Hyde Park bombing.

His documentary, Jeremy Hardy v the Israeli Army, filmed in 2002 also challenged the military occupation of the West Bank. 

The comedian, from north Hampshire, began his stand-up career in 1984 and was a regular on BBC4's The News Quiz