Bonnie Tyler funeral LIVE: Service underway as thousands of mourners applaud arrival of singer's coffin
Mourners have gathering in Swansea for the funeral of superstar singer Bonnie Tyler.
The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died in July at the age of 75.
Her funeral is taking place on Monday at St Mary’s Church, with only invited guests and family expected to attend.
A hearse carrying her body, with a floral arrangement reading Bonnie, arrived to applause from thousands who lined the streets as her coffin was carried into the church.
The service is being streamed online and the hour-long service will be shown on a large screen in nearby St David’s Square.
Tyler will then be taken on a final journey through her hometown of Skewen, near Neath, at around 1.20pm, before a private family committal and farewell service.
Over the weekend, the streets of Mumbles in Swansea were lined with locals and mourners, who celebrated Tyler as the coffin was brought back to her home.
Tyler died just months after she was placed in an induced coma in intensive care following emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal.
Follow the latest updates below...
Live updates
'Pioneer live artist' says former tour manager
Tyler’s former tour manager Matt Davis is reminiscing on some of her greatest achievements, including being a “pioneer live artist”.
He explained that she was one of the first artists to tour the Soviet Union and was invited to perform at the Pope’s Christmas concert in the Vatican.
Davis also joked that Bonnie used up the hotel’s internet bandwidth on a trip to Greenland in order to watch her favourite show.
'Gaynor was proud to be Welsh'
Roger Bell, the talent scout who discovered the singer, is sharing a tribute at the service.
He added that she was “proud to be Welsh” and was proud of Swansea.
Live stream being shown outside St Mary's Church
The livestream is being watched by those outside St Mary’s Church this afternoon.
Thousands have also tuned in to watch the service from around the world and to bid the legendary singer a final farewall.
Fans from Argentina, France, and Brazil have all shared tributes on the stream’s chat setting.
One wrote: “Thank you for the music. Patricia from Brazil.”
Plenty more fans have left floral tributes outside the church in Swansea.
Only Men Aloud sing Bridge Over Troubled Water
The Welsh choir Only Men Aloud is now singing Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The group first rose to prominence in 2008 after winning BBC’s Last Choir Standing and were selected to celebrate Tyler’s love of her country.
Coffin designed to reflect Bonnie's love of music
Bonnie’s coffin has been engraved with a microphone and a treble clef in a touching tribute to her love of music. It was designed by her family and those who were closest to her.
The coffin also bears a cross that she used to wear around her neck and a pair of wings at the foot.
Gaynor's early life
Bonnie Tyler was born Gaynor Hopkins to Glyndwr and Elsie Hopkins in Skewen in Wales.
We’re now hearing from Canon Justin as he retells Gaynor’s early life.
“Nobody could dance like her!” he says as he speaks about her earliest memories growing up in Wales.
Fans shout 'goodbye' as coffin carried into Swansea Minster
We’re now hearing from Reverend Canon Justin Davies who is conducting today’s service.
As Tyler was carried into the church, she was applauded by fans who shouted “goodbye” to the beloved singer.
Her coffin was etched with symbols including a microphone and a treble clef.
Procession enters St Mary's Church
The coffin is now being carried into St Mary’s Church to Bonnie Tyler’s own song If I Sing You A Love Song and It’s A Heartache.
It’s understood that Bonnie’s brother is part of the group carrying the coffin into the church now.
Fans travel from around the world to say goodbye to Bonnie Tyler
Fans have arrived from all over the UK to pay their respects to Bonnie Tyler.
Leigh Alexander, 42, from Swansea, was the first fan to arrive outside the church this morning, setting up her camping chair at 7.30am.
She said: “I’ve grown up inspired by Gaynor and her music all my life, we’re lucky enough to know some of her family.
“We genuinely know she comes from a family of so much love, and the great thing is she’s never forgotten her roots.
“She’s just such a lovely person. I wanted her family to know that even though we’re not inside that we are here and that it means a lot to us.
Others have arrived from Northamptonshire and Somerset, with one fan telling the BBC she arrived from Kuwait.
Bonnie Tyler's coffin arrives at Swansea Minster
The hearse carrying Bonnie Tyler’s coffin has arrived at Swansea Minster.
It is accompanied by a floral arrangement made of white roses spelling her name.
