'I chat to him every day like a nutcase': Sir Michael Caine pays tribute to late friend Leslie Bricusse and 'refuses to let him go' a year after the composer's death
Sir Michael Caine paid tribute to Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse, who died a year ago aged 90.
Speaking at the London memorial service, at St James's Piccadilly, Sir Michael, a friend for 60 years, admitted he was still struggling to cope with his absence.
'I have a chat with him every day like a nutcase,' the 89-year-old actor confessed.
![Tributes: Sir Michael Caine paid tribute to Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse as he attended the composer's memorial service at St James's church in Piccadilly on Thursday alongside his wife Shakira](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/21/12/63712057-11340251-image-m-30_1666350749124.jpg)
Tributes: Sir Michael Caine paid tribute to Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse as he attended the composer's memorial service at St James's church in Piccadilly on Thursday alongside his wife Shakira
He added: 'I sort of invented this ghost, who I talk to... I refuse to let him go. I adored Leslie.'
Dame Joanna Lumley, 76, also paid her respects at the service along with Barry Humphries, 88, his wife Lizzie and Nigel Havers, 70, and wife Georgiana.
Bricusse's famous friends turned out to support his wife Evie and their son Adam.
![Icon: Bricusse wrote music and lyrics for films including Scrooge and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, as well as the songs Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice (pictured 1983)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/21/12/63712095-11340251-image-m-29_1666350582835.jpg)
Icon: Bricusse wrote music and lyrics for films including Scrooge and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, as well as the songs Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice (pictured 1983)
![Close: Leslie Bricusse and Sir Michael were close friends for 60 years (pictured in 2013)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/21/12/63712863-11340251-image-m-2_1666352159150.jpg)
Close: Leslie Bricusse and Sir Michael were close friends for 60 years (pictured in 2013)
Bricusse wrote music and lyrics for films including Scrooge and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, as well as the songs Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice.
By the time he died aged 90, Bricusse was the composer and lyricist for more than 40 blockbuster musicals on stage and screen.
He was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning two. He also snapped up nine Grammys and four Tony Awards.
![Support: Joanna Lumley donned an emerald green coat paired with a navy skirt and suede boots as she paid her respects at the memorial service](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/21/12/63712053-11340251-image-a-25_1666350568504.jpg)
Support: Joanna Lumley donned an emerald green coat paired with a navy skirt and suede boots as she paid her respects at the memorial service
![Support: Nigel Havers, 70, and wife Georgiana supported one another at the event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/21/12/63712049-11340251-image-a-27_1666350576741.jpg)
Support: Nigel Havers, 70, and wife Georgiana supported one another at the event
Bricusse’s successful career meant that he could afford houses and villas in Beverly Hills, Malta, Gstaad, Acapulco and Saint-Paul de Vence, among other spots overlooking blue seas, pools or crisp snow.
Each weekend there was a party for the ‘British refugees’ – Michael Caine, Christopher Lee, Samantha Eggar, David Hemmings and Roger Moore.
There was even a party, in April 1984, for Prince Andrew.
![Two's company: Barry Humphries, 88, and his wife Lizzie were seen arm in arm at the service](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/21/12/63712061-11340251-image-a-28_1666350579965.jpg)
Two's company: Barry Humphries, 88, and his wife Lizzie were seen arm in arm at the service
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