Bonnie Tyler laid to rest in Swansea as hundreds gather at funeral for ‘iconic’ Welsh singer – photos
Bonnie, who was known for her distinctive husky voice, addictive power ballads and energetic rock anthems, died in July aged 75
Hundreds have gathered to mark the death of beloved singer Bonnie Tyler, who is being laid to rest near where she lives in Swansea in Wales on Monday.
An intimate memorial was held for her nearest and dearest at Swansea Minster at 12 pm before she was transported through her hometown near Skewan.
Real name Gaynor Hopkins, Bonnie was known for her distinctive husky voice, addictive power ballads and energetic rock anthems. The Welsh-born musician died in Portugal in July at the age of 75.
© Getty ImagesMourners gather for Bonnie’s funeral
Today’s service is invite-only, with just friends and family allowed entry into the church. Fans hoping to pay their respects, however, were able be able to watch the service on a screen in St David’s Square nearby, or online.
Afterwards, she will be transported through her hometown of Skewen, near Neath, before a private family committal and farewell service.
Reverend Canon Justin Davies conducted the service at Swansea Minster on Monday, which commenced with two of Bonnie’s songs, If I Sing You A Love Song and It’s A Heartache.
© Getty ImagesBonnie’s husband attended the funeral
Bonnie Tyler’s husband Robert Sullivan was seen attending the funeral today.
They first met when Robert was working as a nightclub manager. He later went on to become a property developer and even competed as a judoka for Great Britain at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
The couple married in July 1973 and spent 53 happy years together.
© Getty ImagesMourners bear the Welsh flag
Roger Bell, the talent scout who discovered the performer when she performed at a club in Swansea, will offered a heartwarming tribute alongside her long-time manager, Matthew Davis. Roger said: “She was loved by millions worldwide, and has all the tributes, flowers, and cards from the Houses of Parliament, Prince and Princess of Wales, the Portuguese government, Cliff Richard, Rod Stewart, Suzi Quatro, and many, many more fans.
“But in Swansea, she was loved by Robert and the family as Gaynor and Auntie Gaynor.
“There was a warmth and sincerity about her that shone through, and she never said no to having a photo taken or giving an autograph to anyone who asked.”
He added: “I think everyone here today as a story about meeting Gaynor, or Bonnie Tyler, and will treasure it.”
The service featured a number of songs close to her heart, including Bridge Over Troubled Water, Only Men Aloud, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Those Were The Days and Making Love Out Of Nothing.
Bonnie’s family asked that those hoping to pay tribute to her death offer support through charitable donations. The singer was a patron of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru.
© Getty ImagesThe funeral was held as Swansea Minster
In the order of the service, her family wrote: “She is remembered as a warm, generous artist whose music touched generations and continues to fill dance floors and karaoke booths around the world.”
She “lives on in the timeless songs that made her a legend,” they added.
Justin Davies delivered a eulogy written by Tyler’s family, which reflected on her early life growing up in North Wales.
He said: “A cute baby girl took her first breath on the eight of June, 1951.
“A star was born to Elsie and Glyndŵr Hopkins and the best was yet to come, they just didn’t know it.”
He also recalled Tyler’s first taste of performing, when she came in second place in a singing competition in Skewen Rugby Club in the late 1960s.
He said: “She came in second and won just one pound but was hooked. She sang Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin and the rest as they say, was history.”
It comes a few days after mourners packed out the streets of Mumbles in Swansea for the procession of her coffin to her home ahead of the official funeral.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesPeople gathered outside the church
On Saturday, a crowd consisting of friends and fans could be heard singing a rendition of one of her popular songs, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, as her coffin, draped in the Welsh flag, was driven home.
As the coffin made its way down Newton Road, where Bonnie was well-known and loved by locals, the crowd burst into song and applause. Some had travelled from as far as Austria and Germany to watch the memorial procession.
Bonnie, who chose her stage name from her favourite names in newspaper clippings, was a popular Welsh singer who made her mark on music with a series of hits in the 1970s and 80s. She was even the first Welsh artist to land a number-one hit in the US with her song Total Eclipse of the Heart, which topped the charts in the UK too.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesFriends and family arrived for the intimate service
Faster Than The Speed Of Night, the album which featured the track, was also a chart-topping success and landed the singer her only UK number one album.
She released many other major hits, including Holding Out For A Hero, It’s A Heartache and If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man). She also represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, with the song “Believe In Me”, finishing 19th.
The Princess of Wales spoke fondly of the musician, calling her a “proud Welsh icon”.
