Fans travelled to Wales to pay an emotional tribute to legendary singer Bonnie Tyler as her funeral was held in the city she was "a fantastic ambassador for". A celebration of life service was held at Swansea Minster ahead of a private family funeral in the village where she was born and grew up. The Total Eclipse Of The Heart star, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died unexpectedly on 8 July at the age of 75.
Tyler was "one of a kind" and "loved by millions worldwide", talent scout Roger Bell, who discovered her, told mourners at the service in Swansea, while fans shouted "we love you Bonnie" as the cortege left to go to Skewen, Neath Port Talbot. Bell referenced the tributes, flowers, and cards from the Houses of Parliament, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Portuguese government, musicians Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Rod Stewart and Suzi Quatro and many fans. "But in Swansea, she was loved by Robert and the family as Gaynor and auntie Gaynor," he said.
"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 described her as a "global iconic superstar" who not only never forgot her roots, but was fiercely proud of them. He said the singer was "a fantastic ambassador for Swansea and Wales and told everyone how wonderful it was". Tyler's manager Matthew Davies spoke of the singer's humble personality, saying she was "always a star but never a diva".
The singer achieved international fame in the 1980s with the release of Total Eclipse Of The Heart, which shot to the top of the charts in the UK and the US. Faster Than The Speed Of Night, the album featuring the track, was also a chart-topping success and landed the singer her only UK number one album. Recognisable for her husky voice, Tyler released many other hits, including Holding out for a Hero, It's a Heartache and If you were a Woman (And I Was A Man).
Entry to the service at Swansea Minster was for family, friends and invited guests only. But fans wishing to pay their respects were given an order of service and were able to watch it on a screen in nearby St David's Square or online. There were loud cheers from the crowds, with many shouting "thank you Bonnie" as her coffin entered the church to the tune of her hit single If I Sing you a Love Song.
Reverend Canon Justin Davies delivered a eulogy written by Tyler's family, which reflected on her early life growing up in a four-bedroom council house in Skewen with her parents and siblings. He said: "A star was born to Elsie and Glyndŵr Hopkins and the best was yet to come, they just didn't know it." Mary Hopkin's 1969 hit Those Were The Days was played at the end of the service, as Tyler had requested. She performed this track at a singing competition at a rugby club, coming second and winning a £1 prize.
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