Mr Harvey described Mr Lane, who was a television regular during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, as an “extremely fine entertainer”.

“I was his first music director in Australia and I worked with him for most of his time at Channel 9,” he said.

“I also worked with him on his club shows. He was an entertainer’s entertainer - nobody could do songs like him.

“Don was tall, good looking and a favourite with the ladies. He didn’t drink and he was a great friend.

“I respected him as a friend and as an entertainer.”

Mr Lane, who was 75, died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

His funeral service was conducted in Sydney on Friday in the Jewish tradition with family and friends.