I only met Karl 4 years ago when Dickie and I first got together. Karl assumed I was the previous Mrs von Tool and asked me various questions about her two sons of which I had none of the answers - yet still he ploughed on with his cheery enquiries.


This, of course, was the perfect introduction to the legendary Karl Bown. 


Karl and Audrey have been very much part of our lives together as a couple. Afternoons at their home: Karl and Rob chuntering at each other over rolling dice and rules, whilst Audrey and I put the world to rights over Nespressos. Then countless plates of TAY-pas at Ole-Ole with various outrageous asides from Karl punctuating the meal. 


My most treasured memory has to be Karl taking me out in the California. Absolutely the most brilliant fun for a speed freak and the car’s ferocious power shown off in the most humble way. That’s the kind of man he was under that grumpy Yorkshire exterior - fun, kind, generous and self-effacing… 


Like so many have said, Karl has always provided the space and acceptance for people to be themselves. That’s a very special quality and I hope one that he has passed on to every life he has touched.


We’re both so grateful that we could come over the day before he passed away, just to hold his hand and tell him what he meant to us. He was literally the best of people and we already miss him dreadfully.