BRITAIN: Sir Denis Thatcher - the "golden thread" in his wife Margaret's life and "mainstay" of her premiership - died yesterday, aged 88.
Politicians from across the divide lined-up to salute the "archetypal Englishman" who - while celebrated as the gin-sozzled buffoon of Private Eye's Dear Bill satire - served his wife with remarkable loyalty, judgment and discretion through her fifteen years as Conservative Party leader, 11½ of them as Britain's only male prime ministerial consort.
Baroness Thatcher, his wife of more than fifty years, was at his bedside when he died yesterday in London's Lister Hospital, as were their children Carol and Mark.
The 88-year-old had appeared to make a good recovery from heart surgery in January but returned to hospital two weeks ago after feeling unwell. A spokesman for the family announced: "It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that Sir Denis Thatcher passed away peacefully this morning in the Lister Hospital after a short illness."
The Union flag was lowered at Conservative Central Office in a mark of respect, while the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, led the tributes to the millionaire businessman whose success and independence had enabled his wife to pursue a political career which would see her win three general election victories and lay the basis for her party's fourth term after she was forced from office.
In her autobiography Lady Thatcher said: "I could never have been prime minister for more than eleven years without Denis by my side.
"He was a fund of shrewd advice and penetrating comment. And he very sensibly saved these for me rather than the outside world."
Mr Blair said: "I'm very sad to hear of the death of Denis Thatcher and have sent my deepest sympathy to Lady Thatcher.
"He was a successful businessman, a devoted family man, loyal friend and always entertaining company."
Former prime minister Mr John Major said: "He gave Margaret a hinterland, particularly during the difficult days of being prime minister, which otherwise she would not have had. I think that was immensely valuable."
And Lady Thatcher's predecessor as Conservative leader and prime minister, Sir Edward Heath, said: "The outstanding characteristic of Denis Thatcher was an ability to create good fellowship and enjoy it among all those with whom he mixed."
While also acknowledging Sir Denis's "vital role" in his wife's career, the Conservative leader Mr Iain Duncan Smith also praised his success as a businessman and, before that, as a brave soldier who was mentioned in dispatches. Describing Sir Denis as "One of the most decent, determined, and kind people that we have known," Mr Duncan Smith, standing alongside his wife Betsy said: "In a world that so often seems to have lost its manners, Denis Thatcher represented so much of what was best in the wartime generation."
Lady Thatcher's former Downing Street press secretary Sir Bernard Ingham voiced the fears of many Conservatives about the impact of her loss. Lady Thatcher, he said, had lost her mainstay. "She's not all that well in herself in terms of loss of memory. I don't think she's going to find it easy to recover."
His friend Lord Bill Deedes - golfing partner and former Daily Telegraph editor, who was the recipient of the fictional Dear Bill letters in Private Eye - said Lady Thatcher had lost "a bulwark" who had been able to able to provide a calmer outlook in troubled times.
Conservative historian and Thatcher family friend, Mr Andrew Roberts, said that - while those who knew him were well aware that Sir Denis's personality was far removed from the drink-sozzled character of Private Eye fame - he often played-up to the character himself.
Once when asked by an impertinent party worker at a function if he had a drink problem, Sir Denis replied: "Yes, madam, I have. There's never enough of it on occasions like this." And when asked how he spent his time, he answered: "Well, when I'm not completely pissed, I like to play a lot of golf."