TRIBUTES have been pouring in after the death of 'absolute legend,' Paddy Macklin, on January 31, 2023. 

Paddy, who was described as "an extraordinary character from an extraordinary and very glamorous family," passed away at the age of 65 on his boat on Penryn River.

Macklin was a free spirit who taught himself the rudiments of sailing and navigation and went on to circumnavigate the world single-handed in a 27ft sloop named Tessa

He had amassed five years’ experience sailing around Europe, including a single-handed crossing of the Atlantic in a humble Folkboat.

He set sail from Falmouth on December 17, 2009, and despite encountering many dangerous situations, Macklin managed to reach New Zealand after four months, where he spent time putting himself and his yacht back together before returning to Falmouth on May 12, 2011.

Paddy's father was Lance Macklin, a racing driver of note and perhaps the most charming British playboy of the 1950s.

His mother Shelagh had been a model and ended up working for Sir Winston Churchill and marrying Churchill's private secretary Sir Anthony Montague-Browne - she hit the news in 2016 when it emerged Sir Anthony was the secret father of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Paddy's Aunt Nada married a French duke - meaning his cousin Christina was a countess, while Paddy's sister Miranda married the nephew of the Duke of Norfolk. 

Upon hearing the news of his passing, friends of Macklin took to social media to pay their respects.

In a status posted to Facebook, actor Tony King said: "I lost one of my best friends.

"He taught me so much about sailing.

"He wrote a book about his epic voyage called “Captain Bungles odyssey,” I was turning it into an audiobook for him…

"I can’t believe we will never laugh until we cry again

"RIP my beloved friend. I love you"

Hugh Barlow, who knew Paddy from his time living in New Zealand, said: "Paddy was a very dear friend of mine. I met him in 1969 when he lived briefly in New Zealand.

"He vanished suddenly when his mother came out from England and took him home and it took me 45 years to track him down and meet up again.

"Paddy was an absolute legend. 

"He was an extraordinary character from an extraordinary and very glamorous family."

"Given his background and connections Paddy could have chosen to be a dreadful bore and snob but he was the absolute opposite.

"He loved music, sailing, drinking and good company."

Mark Hartley said: "I loved Paddy to bits.

"I lived next to him for a year down in Falmouth.

"Gave me the best advice ever, don’t be ashamed to turn back."

In a status posted on to Facebook, Dean Richards said: "RIP Paddy Macklin, pleasure to have known you.

"Fair winds my friend."

Nicky Garvin said: "RIP my dearest friend."

Paddy Macklin: Born September 18, 1957 - died January 31, 2023