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Bonnie Tyler fans line the streets as iconic singer's coffin driven home

Bonnie Tyler's coffin has been driven home through Mumbles as fans line the streets to pay respects to the legendary singer after she tragically passed away last month

[Bonnie Tyler's coffin surrounded by fans]

Fans of iconic singer Bonnie Tyler line the streets as her coffin is transported to her former home(Image: AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Hundreds of Bonnie Tyler fans have gathered to pay their respects to the late singer as her coffin is brought home today (August 15).

The Total Eclipse Of The Heart singer, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died in July at the age of 75. Tylers death came just months after she was treated in intensive care after being placed in an induced coma following an emergency intestinal surgery.

Those who knew or admired Tyler have lined Newton Road in the Mumbles, Swansea, to watch the procession as she is transported back to her former home. The singer achieved international fame in the 1980s with the release of Total Eclipse Of The Heart, which shot to the top of the charts in the UK and the US.

[Bonnie Tyler]

Bonnie Tyler, real name was Gaynor Hopkins, passed away last month(Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Faster Than The Speed Of Night, the album which featured the track, was also a chart-topping success and landed the singer her only UK number one album. Recognisable for her husky voice, Tyler released many other hits, including Holding Out For A Hero, Its A Heartache and If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man).

She represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, with the song Believe In Me, finishing in 19th place.

The crowd burst into applause and a rendition of Total Eclipse Of The Heart as Bonnie Tylers coffin made its way through the Mumbles.

[Tyler's hearse on way to her former home]

A picture of Tyler was seen in the hearse alongside a Welsh flag(Image: AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The coffin was draped in the Welsh flag and accompanied by a framed photograph of the singer. Fans threw flowers onto the hearse as it drove down Newton Road.

Speaking to Wales Online, Sally David would often see Bonnie in Mumbles. She said: "I want to pay respects to Bonnie, growing up in Mumbles I used to bump into her quite often when she was doing her shopping.

"Her dad also.... he was always picking nettles for nettle tea and as kids we were always fascinated that he would never get stung! We'd always see him out and about collecting his nettles."

[Fans threw flowers on the hearse ]

Fans threw flowers on the hearse as it made its way on Mumbles Road(Image: Getty Images)

Among those waiting to pay their respects to Tyler was Carys Edwards, 18, who says the singer was an inspiration to everybody.

She said: Her music touched a lot of people, especially me. Im quite surprised how many people came here today, but then not as well, because she was such an icon.

[Fans packed the streets to pay tribute to Tyler ]

Both sides of the street in Mumbles were filled with her fans(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

She was always coming home and making sure that she came back to her fans in Wales. Her songs really did touch a lot of people here in Wales, we loved her a lot.

When we found out she passed away, it was such a heartbreak to all of us. We cried and everything.

Carys mother, Melanie Smith, 53, added: Most importantly, she was a Swansea girl, and she didnt forget that.

[Bonnie Tyler]

Bonnie Tyler passed away months after emergency intestinal surgery saw he placed in a coma(Image: David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images)

Living in Mumbles all his life, Alex Stewart paid tribute to the singer: "In Mumbles everyone knew Gaynor, she was a lovely character. Treated everyone the same - a genuine good egg. And she was always in that wine bar down b'there.... Peppers," he added with a grin.

Alex added he was proud of the turnout saying it was a testament to a "local girl done well."

Sarah Thomas, who lives in Swansea, was among those waiting to pay tribute to Tyler.

She said: Shes somebody that has been part of Mumbles life. She was just a really nice person. Just a normal person who happened to be famous.

[People leave floral tributes outside the home of Bonnie Tyler ]

People also left floral tributes outside her home(Image: Getty Images)

Tony Firkins, a friend of Tyler and her family, said: Weve known her for years. Shes a fantastic lady, very generous with her time. Its such a sad thing.

Other fans have travelled from as far as Austria to watch the procession pass through the Mumbles.

Newton Road has been lined with hundreds of fans while others wait outside Tylers home on nearby Mumbles Road, with floral tributes laid outside the property.

A celebration of Tylers life, for family and friends, will take place at Swansea Minster on Monday (August 17), before the singer makes a final journey through her hometown of Skewen.

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