David McPhail funeral: Hundreds farewell legendary funnyman in Christchurch 18 May, 2021 04:30 AM 3 minutes to read New Zealand comedy and acting great David McPhail was farewelled by family and friends at Westpark Chapel in Christchurch this afternoon. Photo / George Heard New Zealand comedy and acting great David McPhail was farewelled by family and friends at Westpark Chapel in Christchurch this afternoon. Photo / George Heard Tears, hugs and raucous laughter marked today's emotional farewell of pioneering Kiwi comedian and actor David McPhail who passed away suddenly last week. McPhail – one half of the famed McPhail and Gadsby satirical comedy show which dominated New Zealand television in the 80s – died of a heart attack in the early hours of Friday morning, aged 76.