Prince Philip 'a man of distinction and a lovely guy': Scarborough tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh

Entertainer and theatrical producer Tony Peers, who met the Duke of Edinburgh twice, described him as “a great fella”.

“All that I’d heard about him in terms of character was true,” he said. “He was lovely.”

Mr Peers produced and hosted the show which marked the opening of Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre in 2010, attended by the Queen and Prince Philip.

He said families who may not usually have the opportunity to visit the theatre were invited to be part of the audience.

They and the royal couple were treated to performances by local theatre groups as well as a specially written play about Scarborough's history.

As a tenant of the Duchy’s offices on Scalby Road, Mr Peers was also invited to lunch hosted by the Queen and Duke in Colne in Lancashire.

He said the royal pair spoke to most of the 300 guests there.

“Prince Philip asked me if I was a farmer. I said ‘No, I’m a theatrical producer’,” said Mr Peers.

“He said ‘Oh dear, that must be twice as bad!’

“He was just how you would imagine him to be. He was charming. He was quite a guy and had a twinkle in his eye.

“I was genuinely sorry to hear he had died because he was a good guy.”

Scarborough Borough Councillor Bill Chatt has a photo hung up at his home taken when he and his wife met the Queen and Prince Philip at the Open Air Theatre.

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They sat with the royal couple as Cllr Chatt was mayor at the time - but only just. He handed over the title just a few hours later as it was Scarborough’s Mayor Making day.

“He was a man of distinction and a good man,” said Cllr Chatt.

“He was a lovely guy.”

He said it was a gloriously sunny day and the Duke had commented on the swallows swooping down on to the Open Air Theatre lake.

“He was absolutely fantastic and I was very saddened to hear he had passed away,” he added.

Filey Lifeboat's team has also paid tribute to Prince Philip.

"Everyone involved in the RNLI sends heartfelt condolences to our patron, Her Majesty The Queen, on the death of The Duke of Edinburgh," they posted on social media.

"The Duke of Edinburgh has accompanied Her Majesty on many RNLI occasions and we thank him for his longstanding commitment to maritime services and a lifetime of support to Her Majesty.

"When two members from Filey Lifeboat Station were introduced to the Duke in 2015 during his visit to Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College, he asked for his best wishes to be passed on to the coxswain and crew of Filey Lifeboat. A man with remarkable charm and knowledge."