‘King of the Road’: Police launch major operation as cortege of cars ground A1 traffic to a halt before hundreds of mourners said farewell to caravan-selling gypsy known as ‘Del Boy’
- John Taylor, 57, was known internationally as a wheeler-dealer among gypsies
- Traffic on the Great North Road was halted for 15 minutes during his procession
- Many stood outside watching the service on huge screens mounted on lorries
Roads were flooded with mourners as a grand funeral was held in Selby, North Yorkshire for a man known as ‘The Del Boy Trotter’ of the Romanies.
John Taylor, known as a wheeler-dealer among the gypsy community, was at the centre of the memorial service so huge that police stepped in, The Sun reported.
John, who died from a heart attack at 57, was held in a silver coffin and carried in a red van with ‘Number 1’ as the registration plate.
As hundreds gathered to say their final goodbyes, traffic on the Great North Road – once part of the A1 – was brought to a standstill for 15 minutes.
Family gathered at the Milford Caravan Park in South Milford for John Taylor’s funeral
Trailing behind the van carrying John, were seven silver Rolls Royces and nine trucks brimming with flowers and messages, with one reading ‘King of the Road’.
Mourners were also allowed to double park on the hard shoulder of the dual carriageway thanks to a police operation that helped the procession run without complications.
John, who died from a heart attack at 57, was held in a silver coffin and carried in a van with ‘Number 1’ as the registration plate
Traffic on the Great North Road was brought to a standstill for 15 minutes. Mourners were also allowed to double park on the hard shoulder of the dual carriageway thanks to a police operation
Known among his friends as being a market trader like Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, the Romani was said to have died doing what he loved, having just sold his last caravan.
An associate of John said that he was a ‘man of his word’ who worked hard to support both his family and even strangers in need.
He was also known as Shera Rom in gypsy language, translating to King of the Gypsies.
The associate told The Sun: ‘He just couldn’t help it. He was a “Del Boy” dealer – a “Who Dares Wins” kind of man.
‘When he had a deal, he never backed out whatever the cost – good or bad. His caravan business was his main business, but he never forgot where he came from.’
John was also known as King of the Gypsies among gypsies in the UK and Europe
A family spokesman said that his death had ‘shocked the world of the gypsy community’
Crowds stood outside on Sunday watching the service from giant screens
Family gathered at the Milford Caravan Park in South Milford for a private service on Saturday.
But gypsies from across the UK and Europe gathered on Sunday for another ceremony, with 600 crowding a marquee.
Further crowds also stood outside watching the service on large screens.
Violet, his wife of almost 40 years, showed their wedding photo at the ceremony and described him to be ‘the Gamest Gypsy Man to Stand in Two Shoes’.
John’s death on November 26 was said to have ‘broken so many hearts’, including those of his four children.
A family spokesman said that his death had ‘shocked the world of the gypsy community’.
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