Bonnie Tyler fans line Swansea streets for singer's final journey home

Fans have begun gathering in Swansea to pay their final respects to the iconic Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. As her coffin made its journey to her Mumbles home, supporters lined the streets, reflecting the deep affection the community holds for the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" singer.

Tyler, who passed away unexpectedly on July 8 at the age of 75 in Portugal, was remembered by many as a "Swansea girl through and through" who never forgot her roots. Tributes poured in from stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bryan Adams, but it was the local sentiment that highlighted her connection to her hometown.

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She was lovely - just like a friend you'd known all of your life

Residents described Tyler as a warm and approachable person. Angela Powell recalled how Tyler's husband used to manage local nightclubs where Tyler often performed, and where Powell's parents met. Powell came to pay her respects on behalf of her family, sharing personal anecdotes of bumping into Tyler in local shops and on a flight.

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

The celebration of Tyler's life will continue with a funeral service at St. Mary's Church in Swansea on Monday. Following the public service, she will return to her hometown in Neath Port Talbot for a private family ceremony. A funeral notice described her as "a warm, generous artist whose music touched generations and continues to fill dance floors and karaoke booths around the world."

Even fans from abroad, like Sabine Neumann and her son Enrico from Berlin, Germany, traveled to attend the tribute and Monday's service. Enrico shared that his mother was a longtime fan, leading him to grow up with Tyler's music, making the experience of being there with her particularly emotional.

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It's so special to be here with my mother.