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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Kate Ng

Bonnie Tyler's final wish revealed as funeral details announced

The funeral plans for Bonnie Tyler have been announced following her “unexpected” death earlier this month.

The I Need A Hero singer died aged 75 at a hospital in Portugal on 8 July, two months after she was rushed to hospital in Faro for emergency intestinal surgery.

According to a funeral notice from William Pressdee Funeralcare, released on Friday 17 July, Tyler will be returned to her home in Fernhill, Mumbles, on Saturday 15 August.

A celebration of the singer’s life will take place in her home in Mumbles (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA Archive)
A celebration of the singer’s life will take place in her home in Mumbles (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA Archive)

Fans who wish to pay their last respects to the iconic singer, whose real name was Gaynor Sullivan, have been invited to “line Newton Road, Mumbles from 3.15pm”.

The notice also announced that a “celebration” of the singer’s life will be held at Swansea Minster (St. Mary's Church) on Monday 17 August at 12pm.

Following the memorial, Tyler will travel through Skewen, where she was born, en route to a “private family service of committal and farewell”.

As Tyler was a patron of two charities, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru, her family is inviting donations in support of the charities in lieu of flowers.

The Total Eclipse of The Heart singer earned herself “a place in music history with her iconic raspy vocals and unforgettable ballads”, the notice read.

“She is remembered as a warm, generous artist whose music touched generations and continues to fill dance floors and karaoke booths around the world.

“Her legacy lives on in the timeless songs that made her a legend,” the notice concluded.

Tyler’s death came as a shock to many. She was schedule to perform at the Sunshine Festival in Worcester this summer, along with a number of European dates, and was also booked to perform at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on December 17.

But the dates were either postponed or cancelled due to her poor health. Following the surgery, she was placed in an induced coma to aid her recovery and later came out of the coma, but a spokesperson said she remained very unwell in intensive care.

Tyler was best known for songs including Total Eclipse of The Heart and I Need A Hero (Photo by PHILIPPE WOJAZER / AFP via Getty Images) (AFP/Getty)
Tyler was best known for songs including Total Eclipse of The Heart and I Need A Hero (Photo by PHILIPPE WOJAZER / AFP via Getty Images) (AFP/Getty)

In a tribute shared on X, Welsh First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said Wales had “lost a true icon”.

He said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bonnie Tyler. Wales has lost a true icon, whose music brought joy to so many.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans across the world.”

Sir Keir Starmer also shared a tribute with the prime minister's official spokesman described her as “one of Britain's greatest recording artists”.

He added: “An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music - from Total Eclipse Of The Heart, to Holding Out For A Hero - which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths.

”The prime minister's thoughts are very much with her friends and family.”

Tributes also poured in from celebrities who knew and were close to Tyler, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sir Cliff Richard and showrunner Russell T Davies.

Zeta-Jones, 56, said Tyler was a big part of her life after marrying her cousin, Robert Sullivan, and shared a photograph of the pair together on Instagram which was taken the night before her wedding.

She said: “An extraordinary woman with vocals to match. A one of kind artist, who so easily could have been a comedian because she was one of the funniest people I ever met.

“Thank you Bonnie for the joy you brought so many. Sleep tight beautiful lady. We shall forever ‘Keep A Welcome In The Hillsides’ of Wales for you. Sending my love to Robert and the family.”

Sir Cliff, who sang a duet with her on the song Taking Control, said: “Bonnie’s infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world, and to be a good friend to all, including me.

“It is shocking news to wake up to this morning and I send my love to her family at this very sad time.”

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