Prime Minister and Hollywood star lead tributes to Welsh music legend Bonnie Tyler

Hollywood movie star Kevin Bacon has also paid tribute to the Welsh star, who many may have forgotten - had played a surprising role in his career. Many will remember Bonnie's anthem "Holding out for a Hero" playing out over an iconic sequence in Footloose. The scene shows Kevin's character Ren race a tractor through a field.

According to a report by Entertainment Weekly, Kevin said: I could not imagine chicken racing a tractor to any other song. RIP.

While attending a special event at Gleneagles in support of The Kings Trust, friend of the singer, Just Rod Stewart performed one of her iconic hits, Its a Heartache. The small crowd were visibly emotional, in what was a beautiful tribute.

Welsh biotech entrepreneur, Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE, has joined the host of voices across public life paying tribute to singer-songwriter Bonnie Tyler MBE following her death at the age of 75.

With both hailing from Neath Port Talbot, Bonnie and Sir Chris became friends with a shared love of both music and rugby with Bonnie frequently attending matches alongside Sir Chris at Principality Stadium.

Sir Chris paid tribute to the acclaimed singer. He said: Bonnie used to pop into our Principality Stadium rugby box with her bubbly but humble personality to drink and laugh with us Port Talbot boys, and shed stay for hours.

"She was a fabulous individual with huge talent but someone who never forgot her roots.

Rocker Bryan Adams, known for hits such as (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, remembered "dear Bonnie Tyler" in a post on X.

He wrote: "She had such a great voice and I'll always be grateful of her beautiful version of Straight From The Heart. Thanks Bonnie. RIP."

Speaking to Matt Allwright on Channel 5, rock singer Suzi Quatro said she has been tearful all day. Known for chart-topping hits such as Can the Can, Suzi described Bonnie as "a big talent, a great voice and one that will be very well missed" and praised her for using her raspy voice "very cleverly to her advantage".

She added:

Former Doctor Who showrunner, Russell T Davies has taken to social media to praise the "fabulous" singer whom he had "loved" since his teens, despite never meeting her in person.

He wrote: "I never met her, though I must've lived a mile or so from her house - and that house was the stuff of legend. She was adored.

"I loved her from the age of 13; that's when Lost In France came out and, somehow, for a closeted gay teenager, all the sadness and longing of that song told my camp little heart: that's what life is like. Plus, French men. I was hooked!"

He added: "I think it's quite a Welsh thing to lose your accent when you leave home. But NOT BONNIE!

"My God, that magnificent Skewen rasp never buckled, and I think that says a lot about how strong she was. What a gorgeous girl. Night, cariad (darling). Thank you for the music."

Oscar-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones has paid tribute to her 'dearest' Bonnie Tyler. The actress shared to her social media that her "heart is broken" as she opened up about the family connection with the Total Eclipse of the Heart singer who died this week.

The star of Wednesday and Chicago posted an image of her and the late singer from the night before her wedding to Michael Douglas back in 2000. Read her full statement here.

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(Image: Catherine Zeta-Jones/Instagram)

Beautiful floral tributes have been left outside Bonnie Tyler's house in Wales. Flowers, cards and gifts have started appearing on the wall outside the singer's iconic property in Mumbles - where she spent many happy years.

One person has even left a bottle of Jack Daniels - after the singer previously spoke of drinking a shot of Jack with a Red Bull to steady her nerves before going on stage, joking "it gives me wings".

[A bottle as tribute left at the home of Bonnie Tyler in Mumbles]

A bottle as tribute left at the home of Bonnie Tyler in Mumbles(Image: Getty Images)

[Floral tributes were also left]

Floral tributes were also left(Image: Getty Images)

[Messages were also left at the propery]

Messages were also left at the propery(Image: Getty Images)

Sir Cliff Richard is just another one of Bonnie Tyler's friends from the world of music who has paid tribute to her following her death.

Sir Cliff, who sang a duet with her on the song Taking Control, grieved the loss of his wonderful friend in a Facebook post:

Bonnie Tyler became the first Welsh singer to crack the US number one spot.

Her power ballad Total Eclipse of the Heart knocked Billy Joels Tell Her About It from the top spot in 1983. They can never take that away from you, she said about the achievement.

Sir Rod Stewart said in a post on Instagram: We shared similar styles of vocalizing. She was a good pal, a true soul stirrer. I sing Its A Heartache every night on tour. Ill miss you darling Bonnie.

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(Image: Getty Images)

Radio Wales presenter and Y Llais coach Bronwen Lewis, who is a musician from Neath, has paid a touching tribute to Bonnie Tyler. She said the Total Eclipse of the Heart singer will "always be remembered as one of the greats", adding that her legacy "will live on forever".

Bronwen said:

Welsh presenter Owain Wyn Evans has described Bonnie Tyler as a "total darling". He shared a memory of when he drummed for the Holding Out For A Hero singer at Cardiff Castle.

Bonnie Tyler was made an MBE in 2023. Upon receiving the accolade at Windsor Castle, the rock singer said receiving an MBE for her services to music showed that anyone from any background can become a success.

Tyler added: Im just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing. So to be recognised for that in this way is very significant to me and my family and friends.

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(Image: PA)

The chairman of Noahs Ark Childrens Hospital Charity in Cardiff has paid tribute to Bonnie Tyler and said she will be greatly missed.

Eddie Hayward OBE said: Bonnies career spanned over five decades, during which time she became a champion for Wales worldwide. She was equally a champion for children and played a pivotal role in supporting the creation of the first and only childrens hospital for Wales. With all that she helped the charity to achieve, we were delighted to add our voice to those recommending her for an MBE in 2022.

Bonnie became an ambassador for the Noahs Ark Charity in 2013 and over many years, lent her prominent voice and celebrity status to raise funds at major events like our Fire and Ice Ball in 2015. She also used her global profile to champion the charity and its mission, supporting campaigns and making special guest appearances at charitable functions. Despite her global fame, Bonnie never lost her down-to-earth charm and was just as comfortable talking to children and families on wards at the childrens hospital as she was on the stage. She was very much loved and will be greatly missed by us all."

Fellow Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins said Bonnie Tyler's "unmistakable voice inspiried generations".

Writing on Instagram, she said:

She said Tyler showed young Welsh girls what was possible

Residents in Skewen, where Bonnie Tyler was born, have been paying tribute to their hometown icon. Speaking to WalesOnline's Indigo Jones at Billion Hair, salon owner Beth Jones said she is "absolutely gutted" to hear about the singer's death.

Some of Bonnie Tyler's greatest hits are being played at Cardiff Market this lunchtime, in tribute to the Welsh icon.

Downing Street said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is saddened to hear about the death of Bonnie Tyler. He described her as an "iconic figure" and sent his condolences to her friends and family.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: The Prime Minister is indeed saddened to hear about the death of Bonnie Tyler, one of Britains greatest recording artists.

An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music from Total Eclipse Of The Heart, to Holding Out For A Hero which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors, and fill karaoke booths.

He added: The Prime Ministers thoughts are very much with her friends and family.

Carolyn Harris, Labour MP for Neath and Swansea East, has also paid a touching tribute to Bonnie Tyler. She described the Holding Out For A Hero singer as one of Wales' "greatest musical icons":

Helen Ceri Clarke, who represents Bonnie Tylers home village of Skewen on Neath Port Talbot Council, said locals still share stories and memories of the singer.

She said: I think the villagers have always been really proud of her, and shes always been really proud of coming from Skewen.

Shes always said Skewen, rather than Neath, is where shes from.

A lot of people have got stories about her, especially the older generation. Its quite a large village now, but it was a smaller village then.

Shes done really, really well for herself Just a really unusual, distinctive, great voice, really. Its just a shame Its young, really, 75 is no age these days.

The Wales Air Ambulance have paid tribute to Bonnie Tyler, saying she "brought joy" during a visit to Llanelli HQ earlier this year. The singer was a supporter of the charity.

The charity said: It is with profound sadness that we have heard of the passing of Bonnie Tyler.

Bonnie supported Wales Air Ambulance for many years, helping us make a lasting difference for patients across Wales.

Her last visit took place earlier this year, and she brought joy every time she joined us.

We are deeply grateful for the time and energy she shared with us a global icon who was passionate about Wales and its people.

Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with Bonnies family, friends and all who knew and loved her.

Welsh broadcaster Carol Vorderman said Bonnie Tyler's music "represented" Welsh woman. Responding to a post about the singer's death, the former Countdown presenter said:

Bonnie Tyler was always someone who was very proud of her Welsh roots. In 2013, she received an honorary doctorate from Swansea University to recognise her massive contribution to music.

When she received the honour, she said that while she has travelled all over the world during her career, she remains "as passionate" about Swansea and Wales as ever.

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(Image: Swansea University)

She said:

Utilita Arena Cardiff has paid tribute to Bonnie Tyler, saying she will forever be a "vital part" of the Welsh music landscape. The Neath-born singer was due to be performing a homecoming gig at the venue in December.

The tribute reads:

In her final TV appearance before her death in February, Tyler shared her excitement for her upcoming tour with Scottish presenter Lorraine.

"What I love about you, as well, there's new music coming out, and that will be woven in, but you always, always do the big hits that everybody wants to hear," Lorraine said.

Bonnie replied: "Yeah, and I love singing them. People say to me, 'Don't you get fed up?' No!"

She went on to say: "I often said, 'Next year I'm going to slow down,' but you know, I keep being able to do shows in great places and I love what I do. The [band] are great to be on the road with, we have a good time. On stage, as well, we have a lot of fun... I've had a wonderful journey."

Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has also paid tribute to Bonnie Tyler, describing her as a true icon.

In a post on social media, he said he was "deeply saddned" to hear of her death, adding: