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Hundreds gather for Bonnie Tyler procession in Wales ahead of funeral

Hundreds of Bonnie Tyler fans gathered for a procession to honour the late singer ahead of her funeral in Wales.

The legendary Welsh rock singer, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died aged 75 last month in Portugal.

Fans lined Newton Road in the Mumbles, where she lived, to watch the procession as the singer was transported back to her former home.

Others waited outside Tyler's home on nearby Mumbles Road, where floral tributes were laid.

Among those waiting to pay their respects to Tyler was Carys Edwards, 18, who says the singer was "an inspiration to everybody".

She said: "Her music touched a lot of people, especially me.

"I'm quite surprised how many people came here today, but then not as well, because she was such an icon.

"She was always coming home and making sure that she came back to her fans in Wales.

"Her songs really did touch a lot of people here in Wales, we loved her a lot.

"When we found out she passed away, it was such a heartbreak to all of us. We cried and everything."

Carys' mother, Melanie Smith, 53, added: "Most importantly, she was a Swansea girl, and she didn't forget that."

Michael Bone, 58, and his partner Alan Hawkins, 54, travelled from Derby to watch the procession.

Mr Bone said: "We thought it'd be nice to pay our respects.

"For me personally, it's because in my teens, her music was quite prolific, for me it was her most iconic period in the 1980s."

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A celebration of Tyler's life for family and friends will take place at Swansea Minster on Monday, before the singer makes a final journey through her home village of Skewen, located just outside the town of Neath.

Famous for her 80s hits Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, Tyler was nominated three times for a Grammy award, and represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.

She was awarded an MBE for her services to music by Queen Elizabeth II in 2023.

Her final full live concert was at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 19 March.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Hundreds gather for Bonnie Tyler procession in Wales ahead of funeral

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