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Thousands gather to say goodbye to singer Bonnie Tyler
The coffin is taken from Swansea Minster following the funeral of Bonnie Tyler. The Total Eclipse Of The Heart singer, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died in July at the age of 75, August 17, 2026

THOUSANDS of people from across the world gathered in Swansea today to celebrate the life and music of Bonnie Tyler at the Welsh singer’s funeral service.

She died on July 8, aged 75, at a hospital in Portugal.

Ms Tyler was known for a series of hits in the 1970s and ’80s. She was the first Welsh person to score a number-one hit in the US with her 1983 song Total Eclipse of the Heart.

The singer’s coffin, etched with symbols including a microphone and a treble clef, was carried into the church to the soundtrack of her hits If I Sing You A Love Song and It’s A Heartache.

The service at Swansea Minster was also live-streamed to the public on a large screen in St David’s Square.

Following the church service, Ms Tyler’s body will return to her hometown of Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, for a private family service.

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STEVE JOHNSON relishes a celebration of the commonality of folk music and its links with the struggles of working people the world over