Jason Manford joined hundreds offering a thumbs up for brave Stephen Sutton[PA]His spirit, bravery and fund-raising for cancer research were all an inspiration.
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Revered Adrian Dorber, called it a "phenomenal" display of human unity, for the man he said "has become everybody's favourite son around here".
Today at 11am scores more people raised their thumbs to mimic the gesture Stephen had made part of his amazing campaign before erupting into a minute of applause.
Manford, 33, who lauded the teenager during his fund-raising efforts, then joined Stephen's family and friends at a service marking the end of two days' thanksgiving attended by 10,000 people.
Hundreds gave Stephen Sutton a farewell thumbs up to mark his inspiring courage [PA]
Three-year-old cancer sufferer Sienna Riley joints in the "Thumbs Up" on Twitter [PA]Before his death, Stephen, who was diagnosed aged just 15, said: "I don't see the point in measuring life in terms of time any more.
"I'd rather measure life in terms of making a difference."
This morning it was announced that a charity single featuring Stephen will be released.
The record, called Hope Ain't A Bad Thing, has been produced by the Neon Brotherhood, as a personal tribute by 40 musicians inspired by the fund-raiser.
Stephen Sutton won acclaim from the Prime Minister for his £4million campaign [NTI]Stephen had been accorded a place of honour inside the cathedral since yesterday's vigil, after his family requested the public be allowed to celebrate his life.
Mourners came to pay their respects, sign the books of condolence and light candles in his memory as cathedral officials confirmed that, by midnight yesterday, 7,000 had been to stand vigil with the coffin.
Earlier, as the hearse arrived, drawn by four white horses in yellow head dresses, there was spontaneous applause from the crowd.
A bright yellow wreath bearing the icon of a smiley face lay beside the white coffin, while another read "Ste".
Stephen's body arrived at Lichfield Cathedral yesterday in a resplendent horse-drawn hearse [ALAMY]Prime Minister David Cameron went to meet Stephen in hospital and posed for a thumbs-up snap to support his fund-raising efforts.
Following Stephen's death on May 14, Mr Cameron said: "I'm deeply saddened to hear that Stephen Sutton has died.
"His spirit, bravery and fund-raising for cancer research were all an inspiration."
Stephen's mum Jane had asked people to join in today's Thumbs Up event on the cathedral's green, and to "do something to make others happy".
Stephen Sutton's two-day vigil has seen an outpouring of good will at Lichfield Cathedral [PA]Sarah Deeley, a care worker from Tamworth in the West Midlands, said she needed to come and say "thank you" to Stephen for his example.
"He was just such a wonderful person, this is the least I could do," she said.
Teenage Cancer Trust chief executive Siobhan Dunn said Stephen's memory would "never be forgotten" because it would live on through the charity's work.
She added: "I think it's really important there's a public celebration of Stephen's life and I think that's exactly what he would have wanted."
tephen Sutton's brother Chris, mum Jane and grandfather Tony during the two-day vigil at Lichfield [PA]
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