Tributes have been paid to a much-loved doctor and philanthropist whose patients included a host of Hampstead celebrities.

Dr Andrew Meeson, who died on January 7 aged 76, ran a practice in Finchley Road for 40 years alongside his twin brother, Bohdan, before retiring in 2005.

Dr Meeson, who lived in Heath Drive, was the family doctor to Phyllida Law and her daughters Emma and Sophie Thompson.

He was also a former president of the Hampstead Medical Society.

Malgosia Alterman, who met Dr Meeson at the Polish Heritage Society which he co-founded, said: “He was a true gentleman and all the Hampstead celebrities he treated liked him. He was very softly spoken – maybe that was why they liked him.

“When he and his brother worked together in Hampstead. They joked that they could cover for each other if one went on holiday and most of the patients could not tell otherwise.”

Dr Meeson was born in Poland but fled to Hungary when the Nazis invaded.

His mother, who was working as a spy for the British, had to escape with her two sons – disguised as two little girls – in tow.

After the war Dr Meeson’s family settled in Frognal Lane where he lived until four years ago.

His daughter Joanna, who helped Dr Meeson on his charitable projects from the age of five, said: “Andrew loved his patients and his patients loved him. We’ve had hundreds of letters saying what a wonderful doctor he was.

“He had a great sense of humour, was full of kindness and very elegant – when seeing a patient in the middle of the night he always wore a suit and tie – and he inspired confidence.

“He loved entertaining, had wonderful lunch and supper parties with family and friends. Everyone who knew him will miss him greatly.”

Dr Meeson was also chairman of the Polish Knights of Malta and a great philanthropist, particularly raising funds for oncology clinics in Poland.

He also successfully campaigned for a memorial to be laid for the Polish Armed Forces in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

His funeral will be held next Friday (January 27) at St Mary’s Church in Hampstead.

Dr Meeson is survived by wife Anita, son Jeremy and daughter Joanna.