Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler will be honoured with a public procession and a celebration of life service in Swansea next month, following her death at the age of 75. The family of the 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' star, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, has extended an invitation to members of the public to participate in the upcoming tributes.
Tyler passed away on 8 July in a Portuguese hospital after a period of ill health, which included intensive care treatment and an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery earlier this year. Tributes poured in from around the world, including from the Prince and Princess of Wales, who described her as a "proud Welsh icon" whose "extraordinary voice and unforgettable music touched millions around the world and will continue to inspire generations to come."
Details of the arrangements were announced by her family in a notice published in the South Wales Evening Post. On Saturday, 15 August, her cortege will return to her home, Fernhill, from William Pressdee Funeralcare, Mumbles. Members of the public wishing to pay their respects are invited to line Newton Road, Mumbles, from 3:15pm as the cortege passes at approximately 3:30pm.
A public celebration of Gaynor's life will then take place at Swansea Minster (St Mary's Church) on Monday, 17 August at 12 noon. Following this, she will travel through Skewen at approximately 1:20pm en route to a private family service of committal. The family has requested donations to two charities of which Tyler was a patron, Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru, in lieu of flowers.
Bonnie Tyler achieved international fame in the 1980s with her hit single 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart', which topped the charts in both the UK and the US. Her album 'Faster Than The Speed Of Night', featuring the smash-hit track, also reached number one in the UK. Known for her distinctive husky voice, Tyler's career spanned decades, earning her three Grammy Award nominations, three Brit Award nominations, and an MBE in 2023. She also represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.