Thousands of emotional fans gather in Bonnie Tyler’s hometown to watch beloved singer’s funeral and pay their respects

THOUSANDS of emotional fans have lined the streets in Bonnie Tyler’s hometown to pay their respects on the day of her funeral. The Total Eclipse Of The Heart singer – famed for her husky voice – died from an illness following an operation. Pallbearers carry the coffin of Bonnie Tyler during her funeral Credit: Getty The iconic British singer died aged 75 last month Credit: Reuters Bonnie’s hearse arriving as fans line the street to pay their respects Credit: Getty Mourners attend the funeral of the star at Swansea Minster in Wales Credit: AP Today, a celebration of Bonnie’s life is taking place at Swansea Minster, where many of her loved ones have been spotted wearing white ribbons. The service itself is closed to the public with only friends, family and other invited people allowed to attend. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! But mourners have gathered nearby with the service streamed online and shown on a big screen in St David’s Square. Crowds of fans applauded and shouted “goodbye” as Bonnie Tyler’s white coffin, etched with symbols including a microphone and a treble clef was carried into the church. Friends, family and other invited people are the only ones allowed to attend in the church Credit: Getty Her close loved ones and family turned out to support Bonnie Credit: Getty A member of the clergy with a picture of Bonnie Credit: PA The pop star rose to prominence in 1977 with her album The World Starts Tonight Credit: Getty – Contributor Flowers that spell out Bonnie were seen in the hearse in what will be an emotional send-off. The funeral service will be conducted by Reverend Canon Justin Davies, while the entry music will be two of Tyler’s songs – If I Sing You A Love Song and It’s A Heartache. Roger Bell, the talent scout who discovered the performer when she was performing in a club in Swansea, will share a tribute at the service, as will Tyler’s long-time manager Matthew Davis. Following the service, the singer will make a final journey through her hometown of Skewen at 1.20pm. Most read in Showbiz Members of the public outside Swansea Minster clutching tributes to Bonnie Credit: PA Fans have paid their respects over the weekend and gathered for another send-off Credit: PA She will then be laid to rest in a strictly private family committal and farewell service. The streets of Mumbles in Swansea, where Bonnie lived and was well-known among locals, were packed with mourners on Saturday for the procession of her coffin to her home. Bonnie, who was born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales, was rushed to a hospital in Portugal with a perforated intestine in April. The singer was then placed in an induced coma after several days at Faro Hospital, before being taken to an intensive care ward. Bonnie earned three Grammy Award nominations across her storied five decade-long career Credit: Rex Features Fans had already thrown flowers onto Bonnie’s coffin as it passed them on Saturday Credit: AP She later woke from the coma on June 15, but reportedly suffered a serious infection after the operation. Bonnie sadly passed away on July 8. Welsh broadcaster Roy Noble, who befriended Bonnie after interviewing her, is among guests attending the celebration of her life at Swansea Minster. He said: “It’s a great privilege (to be here) really because I’ve known Bonnie over the years. “It’s very sad indeed, and we feel for Robert, her husband. (She was) very down to earth and very much a family girl. “She had a few more years left in her. She was 75 when she passed away, so it’s an awful, awful shame.” Welsh musician Mal Pope, a longtime friend of Bonnie, said it had been an “emotional” weekend leading up to today’s funeral. He said: “She felt like a really local person and I think sometimes we forgot she was an international superstar. The 80s legend became a global star with the release of Total Eclipse of the Heart Credit: Redferns Bonnie after she was given an MBE in 2023 Credit: AFP “We recorded together, we performed on stage together, she’d come on my TV and radio shows, she would always turn up to support me and never ever ask for anything in return.” Legends from across the music world paid tribute to the 80s icon in the wake of the tragic news, including Sir Cliff Richard. Carol Vorderman shared an emotional Instagram video to pay tribute to Bonnie – dubbing her “extraordinary.” The singer grew up on a council estate before being discovered by talent scout in a Swansea club in 1975. Bonnie initially rose to prominence in 1977 with her album The World Starts Tonight. But she reached global fame in 1983 with her chart-topping anthem Total Eclipse Of The Heart. The track was originally intended for iconic rocker Meat Loaf, but due to a dispute with his record label and issues with his voice, was given to Bonnie. It went on to sell six million records and become one of the best selling singles of all time. She then went on to achieve four more top- ten hits including It’s A Heartache and Holding Out For A Hero. A statement published on the singer’s website at the time of her death, read: “Bonnie’s family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for. “We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.”