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Image source, Reuters
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Swansea to pay their respects to the legendary singer
ByMeleri WilliamsOscar EdwardsReporting fromin Swansea and Angela Ferguson
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."
Image source, Getty Images
Tyler spent a lot of her time in Portugal, but was always a vocal cheerleader for Swansea and Wales
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).
Image source, PA Media
A floral tribute spelling out Bonnie was placed next to her coffin, with white roses and lilies adorning the coffin itself
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."
- Image caption,
Floral tributes, including one referencing Bonnie Tyler's hit song Total Eclipse of the Heart, were laid outside Swansea Minster
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.
Hopkin and Tyler both grew up near each other in Wales and Tyler said a reason she changed her name was to avoid confusion between the two as she rose to fame.
Tyler's coffin was designed by her family to reflect her love of music, with a microphone and treble clef engraved on each side.
At the head of the coffin was an engraving of a cross that she wore, which was designed by jeweller Spencer Morgan.
At the foot of the coffin was an engraving of a pair of wings that were embroidered on one of her stage jackets.
Image source, PA Media
Tyler's husband Robert Sullivan waved to the crowds who gathered at Swansea Minster to pay tribute to his late wife
Among the crowd in Skewen was resident Hilary Burgum, 76.
She joined those lining the streets to pay their respects to Tyler as her funeral procession passed through the village.
She said: "Gaynor was a Skewen girl through and through. She never forgot her roots, her family, her friends.
"She didn't change. I think everybody in Skewen is proud of Gaynor."
Image source, Reuters
A priest carries the order of service for Bonnie Tyler's celebration of life
Pamela Florance said Tyler was a bridesmaid at her wedding in 1961: "I feel very proud.
"When I heard she was ill, I was so sad. She was always full of life."
At the weekend, ahead of her funeral service, the singer's coffin, draped in a Welsh flag, was driven through Swansea's coastal suburb of Mumbles, drawing huge crowds of emotional fans.
To many - despite her international fame and global success - right until the day she died, she was not Bonnie Tyler, but "Gaynor who lived up the road".
