'She was just Gaynor from up the road' - villagers ready for emotional Bonnie Tyler goodbye

Aimee Thomas - BBC WalesFri, August 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM UTC

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A sign welcoming visitors to Mumbles reads "You're the total eclipse of our hearts Bonnie", referencing the singer's 1982 hit

There aren't many villages where you can walk into a jewellers, a hardware shop, or a cafe, and hear stories about one of the world's biggest music icons.

But in Mumbles, Swansea, Bonnie Tyler was never treated like a superstar.

To many local people, she was Gaynor Sullivan, or "Gaynor who lived up the road".

The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer, who died in July aged 75, would often be seen doing her shopping or having a drink with friends in the village.

As locals prepare to say goodbye to Tyler, who split her time between the Mumbles and a home in Portugal, it's ordinary moments that people seem to remember most.

On Saturday, hundreds of people are expected to line the streets of Newton Road to pay their respects, as Tyler's coffin makes its way through the village to her home on Mumbles Road.

A service will then be held in St Mary's Church in Swansea city centre on Monday, for family and invited guests, before the cortege makes its way to her birth place of Skewen, Neath Port Talbot.

Jane Price, who owns The Lovespoon Gallery in Mumbles, remembers seeing the singer out shopping

"It was always so nice to have Bonnie Tyler as part of the village, I would often see her shopping," said shop owner Jane Price.

"You'd see her beautiful house coming into Mumbles, and she will be greatly missed.

"It made you proud to know that Bonnie was part of the village and part of Swansea. It's so sad that she's not with us any more but her memory will definitely live on here."

Price, who runs The Lovespoon Gallery, expects local people to come out in force on Saturday, adding: "I imagine the streets will be lined and we'll give her the send off she deserves."

Chris Francis (left) and Alfie Williams (right) frequently saw Tyler at their store

For staff at Cash Hardware on Newton Road, Tyler was also a familiar face.

"She was always happy, bubbly and chatty to everyone," said store supervisor Alfie Williams.

"I was quite starstruck. A few times we'd talk about who was the most famous people we'd served in the shop and she'd always be at the top of the list.

"It's also interesting when you drive past her house on Mumbles Road, you'd say 'oh look it's Gaynor's house'."

Store owner Chris Francis said that was simply how people knew her, adding: "Gaynor we used to call her, because she was quite well-known to us.

"She was always very pleasant, just like a normal customer going about their business.

"We'd deliver to her house if needed. She was just a nice person."

Heidi Walton remembers seeing Bonnie Tyler out socially

"A very long time ago I went out with the other mums from school in Mumbles. We used to go to PA's Wine Bar, and she'd quite often be in there having a couple of drinks later in the evening," said Heidi Walton.

"But she was just part of the gang.

"She just blended in, she was a character.

"You'd hear her before you'd see her, and everyone was very fond of her here in Mumbles."

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Walton, who runs a jewellery shop, added: "It's very sad, and everyone here has been affected."

It's how the singer is described time and time again - as someone who was down-to-earth rather than a global superstar.

The community council has organised a book of memories

The singer's death has prompted an outpouring of condolences, with the community council organising a book of memories at the Ostreme centre.

It has quickly filled up with stories, many from people saying they met her at the local Marks & Spencer store, and she was always happy to stop and chat.

One entry tells of a woman from France who was feeling "homesick" while living in Mumbles.

It says she met Bonnie, who was "extremely kind" and she helped lift her spirits.

Family friend Julie Read, who calls her Gaynor rather than Bonnie Tyler, remembers a much more personal side.

She stayed at the singer's villa in Portugal for their honeymoon, adding: "She was the kindest person you'll ever meet.

"We spent many Christmas days over her house, and one of my favourite photos is of my daughter playing the piano there and Gaynor standing beside her.

"When my daughter was four years old, she sang at her house at Christmas time and Gaynor was holding the mic for her.

"It's just a very sad time."

Family friend Julie Read remembers a much more personal side to the singer

On Sunday, the village will remember Tyler's life with a special event added on to this year's Retro Week music event.

A tribute to her was originally cancelled after the news of her death, but it was later reinstated after the organiser was contacted by attendees asking whether there will be a chance to remember her.

There is due to be singers performing some of her songs, a chance to hear from members of her team, and people sharing stories about her life and career.

On Saturday, hundreds of people are expected to line the streets of Newton Road to pay their respects

Organiser Paul Whittaker said: "She was just Gaynor from up the road.

"I think that's what endeared her to people.

"She was down-to-earth, there were no airs and graces.

"She wasn't surrounded by a team of people protecting her, she was just herself."

Paul Whittaker says one of the things that made Tyler so popular was that she was "down-to-earth"

The event will also give fans a chance to meet and share their own memories.

But perhaps the most poignant moment will be when the cortege passes through the streets on Saturday.

Whittaker said the music at the week-long festival will stop during this time.

Then later, at the family's request, Tyler's hit It's a heartache, and her version of Simply the Best will be played across the bay.

For a singer who sang all across the world, it will be an intimate farewell in the place she called home.

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