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Hundreds of friends of TV presenter Jill Dando yesterday gathered at a church decked out in sunflowers for an emotional service…

Hundreds of friends of TV presenter Jill Dando yesterday gathered at a church decked out in sunflowers for an emotional service to pay tribute to the life and work of the murdered star. Sir Cliff Richard was among those who spoke warmly of the Crimewatch and holiday presenter.

The London service - just three days after she was due to marry fiancΘ Alan Farthing - took place at All Souls' Church, Langham Place, next to Broadcasting House.

Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, has been elected the fifth chancellor of the University of Cape Town. She becomes the first black person and the first woman to hold the position in the university's 170-year history. The ceremonial position has been vacant for three years since the resignation of mining magnate Harry Oppenheimer.

Jeffrey Archer could damage the Conservative Party's image if he wins its nomination to run for mayor of London this week, according to a BBC report. It said "focus groups" quizzed by the party had associated Lord Archer with a reputation for sleaze, which dogged the Conservatives in the years leading up to their 1997 election disaster. The BBC said the findings came from internal party research which it said it had seen.