Bonnie Tyler fans lined the streets of her Welsh hometown today as they paid tribute to the Total Eclipse of the Heart singer before her funeral on Monday.
Bonnie, whose real name is Gaynor Hopkins, died at the age of 75 in hospital in Portugal on July 8, months after she was placed in an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery.
She died close to where she lived with her husband Robert Sullivan, but has been returned to the UK to be laid to rest this week.
Prior to Monday’s private family service, a memorial procession is taking place in Mumbles, Swansea, as she travels to her home, Fernhill.
A statement released by William Pressdee Funeralcare on behalf of the singer’s family said: ‘Resting at William Pressdee Funeralcare, Mumbles until she returns to her home, Fernhill, on Saturday 15th August at 3.30pm – those who wish to pay their respects are invited to line Newton Road, Mumbles from 3.15pm.’
Referring to Bonnie by her birth name, the statement continued: ‘A Celebration of Gaynor’s life will be held at Swansea Minster (St. Mary’s Church) on Monday 17th August at 12noon.
‘Gaynor will then return to her “hometown”, and travel through Skewen at approximately 1.20pm en route to a private family service of committal and farewell.’
Ahead of the procession on Saturday afternoon, fans began gathering near to Fernhill, with many leaving flowers outside along the wall.
Fans of Bonnie Tyler gathered in the streets of Mumbles on Saturday and left floral tributes outside the singer’s home
The crowds were several people deep as they amassed along the nearby high street
Bonnie, whose real name is Gaynor Hopkins, died at the age of 75 in hospital in Portugal on July 8 – her funeral is being held on Monday
A woman wears a T-shirt with a picture of Bonnie ahead of a memorial procession today
One was seen wearing a T-shirt adorned with the Welsh singer’s face.
The crowds were several people deep as they amassed along the nearby high street, and many clutched roses or sunflowers.
Bonnie’s family invited fans to donate to two charities that Bonnie was a patron of, instead of sending flowers.
The charities are the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, and Cerebral Palsy Cymru, with the funeral home adding: ‘Her legacy lives on in the timeless songs that made her a legend.’
Bonnie’s death was announced in a statement by her ‘heartbroken’ family and team on her website on July 9, which said she died in hospital in Portugal.
The performer was best known for her hits Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, and she had planned a new European tour which had been due to start later this year.
The statement said: ‘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.’
Bonnie was first admitted to hospital in May because of complications caused by a burst appendix and perforated intestine that required urgent surgery.
Her last public performance was in March, when she performed at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.
Mourners hold roses as they gather to pay their respects to the Total Eclipse of the Heart singer
The singer died last month in Portugal but is being laid to rest in her home country
Tributes are seen outside Bonnie’s home, Fernhill, on Saturday afternoon
Tributes are left outside the home of Bonnie Tyler ahead her coffin arriving on Saturday
The singer grew up on a council estate before being discovered by talent scout Roger Bell in a club in Swansea in 1975.
She released her first single Lost in France in 1976, and went on to have an almost 50-year-long career.
Her biggest hit, Total Eclipse of the Heart, came out in 1983 and topped charts in the UK and US.
At the time, Bonnie was the first Welsh person to reach number one in America.
She represented the UK at Eurovision in 2013 with song Believe in Me, and became the first UK representative to receive a Eurovision Song Contest Radio Award, winning Best Song and Best Female Singer.
