Mourners gathered 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 took 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 hour-long service was streamed online and shown on a large screen in nearby St David’s Square.
Choir Only Men Aloud gave performances of some of her biggest hits, while the talent scout that discovered her, Roger Bell, and her manager Matthew Davis gave eulogies.
Canon Justin Davies delivered a eulogy written by Tyler’s family, which reflected on her early life growing up in a four-bedroom council house in Skewen, North Wales with her parents and siblings.
Tyler will be taken on a final journey through her hometown near Neath 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...
Video: Mourners clap as hears carrying Bonnie Tyler passes
14:56 , Megan Howe
Mourners gathered in Skewen came out in force today to wish a fond farewell to Bonnie Tyler.
They could be heard clapping as the hearse carrying Bonnie passed.
One local resident said: “Farewell to an absolute true legend. Gone too soon sadly.God Bless Bonnie.”
Farewell to an absolute true legend. Gone too soon sadly.God Bless Bonnie ❤️x pic.twitter.com/ool6JNFWJv
— highfivedave (@highfivedave) August 17, 2026
Everything that's happened today
14:36 , Niva Yadav
Bonnie Tyler’s coffin has just arrived in Skewen after a moving funeral service in Swansea this afternoon.
Her final trip precedes a private family service which will take place away from the cameras.
This afternoon saw many of Tyler’s family and friends read tributes at St Mary’s Church as the Welsh choir Only Men Aloud sung several of Tyler’s greatest hits.
Coffin has now arrived in Skewen
14:24 , Niva Yadav
The coffin carrying Bonnie Tyler has now arrived in her hometown of Skewen.
The streets are already lined with fans awaiting her arrival as she makes her final trip.
What happens next?
13:59 , Niva Yadav
With today’s service over, the hearse will now drive to Tyler’s hometown Skewen.
A private ceremony for her family will take place in the village. Locals are already lining the village in anticipation for Bonnie’s final trip.
Tyler's husband seen departing funeral service
13:57 , Niva Yadav
Tyler is survived by her husband, Robert Sullivan, who was seen at today’s service.
He waved to mourners as he left Swansea Minster. He met the singer in 1969, with the pair married since 1973.
Locals say goodbye to Bonnie Tyler for the final time
13:54 , Niva Yadav
Locals have come out to watch Bonnie Tyler on her final journey as the coffin is taken to Tyler’s hometown.
Our National treasure on her way to her home town. RIP Bonnie Tyler. pic.twitter.com/W4BfhNzEX9
— 🇺🇦🏴 MR BLUE 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 (@djmth1010) August 17, 2026
'She never forgot her roots' says Bonnie Tyler fan
13:44 , Niva Yadav
Hilary Burgum, 76, is among Skewen locals waiting to pay tribute to Bonnie Tyler when her funeral procession passes through the village.
She said: “Gaynor was a Skewen girl through and through. She never forgot her roots, her family, her friends.
“She didn’t change. I think everybody in Skewen is proud of Gaynor.”
Elizabeth Lewis, 62, added: “She always had time for everyone.”
Tracey Bullock said: “It’s nice that everybody’s come out for her, she was a local girl, wasn’t she.
“As sad as it is, it’s nice everybody’s showing appreciation.”
Mourners leaving the funeral
13:39 , Niva Yadav
Mourners are now leaving the church after attending the funeral of Bonnie Tyler.
Bonnie Tyler was ‘one of a kind’ and ‘loved by millions’, mourners told
13:35 , Niva Yadav
Bonnie Tyler was “one of a kind” and “loved by millions worldwide”, the talent scout who discovered her has told mourners at her funeral.
Roger Bell spoke of her kind nature and the outpouring of tributes she received after her death at the age of 75 on July 8.
He said: “She was loved by millions worldwide, and has all the tributes, flowers, and cards from the Houses of Parliament, Prince and Princess of Wales, the Portuguese government, Cliff Richard, Rod Stewart, Suzi Quatro, and many, many more fans.
“But in Swansea, she was loved by Robert and the family as Gaynor and Auntie Gaynor.
“There was a warmth and sincerity about her that shone through, and she never said no to having a photo taken or giving an autograph to anyone who asked.”
13:33 , Niva Yadav
Among the songs chosen for today’s service is Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin.
As retold by Canon Justin, this was a song a young Bonnie Tyler won £1 for singing at a rugby club contest.
Mary Hopkin was also one of the reasons that Tyler changed her name. Both singers grew up near each other in Wales and didn’t want to get mixed up!
Those Were The Days played as service ends
13:30 , Niva Yadav
Among the songs chosen for today’s service is Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin.
As retold by Canon Justin, this was a song a young Bonnie Tyler won £1 for singing at a rugby club contest.
Mary Hopkin was also one of the reasons that Tyler changed her name. Both singers grew up near each other in Wales and didn’t want to get mixed up!
Total Eclipse of the Heart sold more than 13 million copies
13:25 , Niva Yadav
One of Bonnie Tyler’s most famous songs was Total Eclipse of the Heart. Today, it was sung in a powerful rendition by Only Men Aloud.
The track topped the charts globally and sold more than 13 million copies.
The choir collaborated with Bonnie several times, including in 1983 when they sang her UK No.1 together.
Fans line street in Skewen
13:21 , Niva Yadav
Fans have lined the streets of Tyler’s hometown in Skewen as the funeral procession is now expected to make its way through.
Pamela Florance said Tyler was a bridesmaid at her wedding in 1961.
“I feel very proud,” she said.
“When I heard she was ill, I was so sad. She was always full of life.”
Delyth Orrells, 68, who has lived in the village all her life, said Tyler was “very down to earth” and “never forgot her roots”.
End of livestream coverage
13:18 , Niva Yadav
The livestream has now ended, with the coffin on its way to the car.
Bonnie Tyler will be taken on one final trip to hrough her hometown of Skewen, near Neath, at around 1.20pm, before a private family committal and farewell service.
It is understood that her body will be cremated.
'Pioneer live artist' says former tour manager
12:50 , Niva Yadav
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'
12:43 , Niva Yadav
Roger Bell, the talent scout who discovered the singer, is sharing a tribute at the service.
He said that between Christmas parties and holidays to Portugal, Tyler always made time for her fans.
He added that she was “proud to be Welsh” and was proud of Swansea.
Live stream being shown outside St Mary's Church
12:34 , Niva Yadav
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
12:25 , Niva Yadav
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
12:21 , Niva Yadav
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
12:18 , Niva Yadav
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
12:12 , Niva Yadav
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
12:07 , Niva Yadav
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
12:04 , Niva Yadav
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
11:57 , Niva Yadav
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.
Hearse arrives to cheers from the crowd
11:53 , Niva Yadav
A hearse carrying Bonnie Tyler’s coffin has arrived at Swansea Minster to applause from the crowd.
It is accompanied by a floral arrangement reading Bonnie.
Funeral to begin at noon
11:48 , Niva Yadav
Bonnie Tyler’s celebration of life service will begin at noon.
Thousands of fans have already lined the streets in Mumbles, a seaside town in Swansea where Tyler is from.
From Gaynor to Sherene to Bonnie
11:43 , Niva Yadav
Bonnie Tyler was actually born Gaynor Hopkins, but decided to change her name once she became a singer.
She chose Sherene, but once she signed a record deal, RCA Records suggested another change.
Browsing through a newspaper, she made up a new name - Bonnie Tyler!
WATCH: Crowds line streets ahead of celebration of life
11:37 , Niva Yadav
Crowds have lined the streets surrounding Swansea Minster ahead of Bonnie Tyler’s celebration of life service today.
'She was very down to earth and very much a family girl'
11:34 , Niva Yadav
Tributes have poured in since news of Bonnie Tyler’s death broke.
Among them is Welsh broadcaster Roy Noble, who befriended Bonnie Tyler after interviewing her.
Speaking at Tyler’s celebration of life, he said: “It’s a great privilege (to be here) really because I’ve known Bonnie over the years.
“It’s very sad indeed, and we feel for Robert, her husband.
“(She was) very down to earth and very much a family girl.
“She had a few more years left in her. She was 75 when she passed away, so it’s an awful, awful shame.”
Welsh musician Mal Pope, a longtime friend of Bonnie Tyler, said it had been an “emotional” weekend leading up to the funeral on Monday.
He said: “She felt like a really local person and I think sometimes we forgot she was an international superstar.
“We recorded together, we performed on stage together, she’d come on my TV and radio shows, she would always turn up to support me and never ever ask for anything in return.”
Mourners arrive for Bonnie Tyler's funeral
11:26 , Niva Yadav
Mourners are now arriving at Swansea Minster for the funeral of Bonnie Tyler. The service is set to begin at noon.
Heartbreaking footage shows Bonnie Tyler's casket being carried home
11:08 , Niva Yadav
Footage shared on social media shows the heartbreaking scenes as thousands of mourners line the streets to bring Bonnie Tyler’s casket back home.
The Welsh singer was in Portugal when she underwent emergency surgery to treat a perforated intestine. She died from complications of the illness on July 8.
Thousands of fans gathered Saturday in the streets of a coastal town in Wales to say goodbye to the late singer Bonnie Tyler as her casket was carried home 🥹💔 pic.twitter.com/5gnUIzylxd
— 🎸 Rock History 🎸 (@historyrock_) August 16, 2026
Tyler's songs to be played during service
10:50 , Niva Yadav
To celebrate Tyler’s life, several of her songs will be played at the service today, including If I Sing You A Love Song and It’s A Heartache.
Total Eclipse of The Heart will also be played during the funeral, as will Bridge Over Trouble Water and Those Were The Days.
Tyler’s talent scout Roget Bell and manager Matthew Davis are both expected to share a tribute at the service.
Her family also asked that in lieu of flowers, people supported two charities of which she was a patron – Noah’s Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru.
Fans already arriving in Swansea
10:43 , Niva Yadav
Fans have already started arriving in Swansea to pay tribute to Bonnie Tyler, with the big screen already in place at St David’s Square ahead of the service.
Bonnie Tyler’s funeral in Swansea is a few hours away but fans already arriving and big screen put in place pic.twitter.com/pjWfrNTeVK
— Rob Osborne (@mrrobosborne) August 17, 2026
How to watch Bonnie Tyler's funeral
10:37 , Niva Yadav
For those without an invite, the hour-long service will be streamed online from 11am.
You can watch it here for free.
The livestream is also being shown on a large screen in nearby St David’s Square. After the service, the singer will make her final journey through her hometown of Skewen at around 1:20pm before a private family service.
There is also a Book of Condolence available for people to sign at Y Storfa on Oxford Street until August 24.
Songs from Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Tyler
10:34 , Niva Yadav
There is expected to be a heavy emphasis on Tyler’s Welsh identity this afternoon. An organist is set to play music from Welsh legends, including Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and Bonnie Tyler.
Choir Only Men Aloud will sing Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart, while the congregation is expected to sing the hymn Calon Lan.
Crowds of fans lined the streets on Saturday
10:29 , Niva Yadav
As Bonnie Tyler’s coffin was brought back home to Swansea on Saturday, huge crowds of fans gathered in the Mumbles.
The coffin - which was draped in a Welsh flag - was taken through the streets as crowds spontaneously burst into renditions of Total Eclipse of the Heart.
Funeral to begin at midday
10:20 , Niva Yadav
Bonnie Tyler’s funeral will begin at St Mary’s Church in Swansea at noon.
Entry to the church is reserved for family and invited guests only, but a public viewing has been set up nearby at St David’s Square.
The Standard will also bring you the latest ahead of the legendary singer’s final farewell.
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