Childhood friend Daljit Sharma said: “We were from the same village in India.

“My best memory is playing football with him, fighting, hugging, laughing and joking with each other. He was like my brother.

“I miss him. He was larger than life.”

Mr Verma became a very successful businessman, he said, adding: “Most of these people here – they’re all business colleagues, all business people. He was an extremely successful businessman and very loyal, very honest. He deserved all the love he’s getting here.”

Describing Mr Verma as a “car fanatic”, Ms Bhanot said they arranged for a new Bentley to take him on his final journey.

Media screens were put up so people could watch with so many people expected.