Friends bid farewell to 'glam godfather'

Former members of The Sweet joined the mourners who crowded into The Holy Name Roman Catholic Church in Denham, Buckinghamshire, near where Connolly had lived.

His black wooden coffin with three wreaths on top sat at the front of the church as hymns were sung and prayers read out.

Floral tributes, including one from Gary Glitter, were left at the gates of the village church.

His tribute read: ''Brian, to one of the great greats of glam rock. Your music will live on.''

Inside the church there was standing room only as former members of Connolly's highly successful band paid tribute to him.

Guitarist Steve Priest said: ''I loved Brian and I would like to say on behalf of the whole band Brian had a heart the size of Glasgow and will leave a hole just as big in my heart and in our lives.''

Mick Tucker, the group's drummer who is recovering in hospital from a serious illness, could not attend the funeral but a statement was read on his behalf.

He said: ''Brian's illness had always been a great concern to me but I always thought of him as indestructible.''

He said Connolly had always recovered in the past from illnesses, including a series of heart attacks, but it had not been the case this time.

Songwriter Nicky Chinn chose the words of one of the band's greatest hits, Ballroom Blitz, to remember Connolly.

''The man at the back said everyone attack and it turned into a Ballroom Blitz,'' he said.

Mr Chinn said Connolly had never been the man at the back. He said: ''In many ways Brian's life was one huge attack but he was never the man at the back. He was always at the front.

''He achieved what most people dream about but don't even bother to try. I remember being struck by the fact that he never doubted he would be a huge star.''

At the height of its fame the group sold 50 million records world-wide and Connolly owned seven cars, including a Rolls-Royce, a mansion in Surrey, and a #250,000 yacht.

The former TV service engineer relished the rock star lifestyle and was often seen at parties drinking with The Who drummer Keith Moon, Mick Jagger, and Ringo Starr.

In 1979 Connolly left the group after a personality clash with band members and his drinking became excessive.

In 1982 he suffered a series of heart attacks. He later gave up drinking but his health had been seriously impaired.

A nervous complaint left him partly paralysed and he walked with a limp.

In recent years Connolly had launched a revival band playing in pubs and at holiday camps in Britain and Europe.

He died at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough from kidney failure on Monday last week.

Connolly leaves a girlfriend Jean, their two-year-old son Brian and daughters Nicola, 22, and Michelle, 19, by his former wife Marilyn.

During the funeral service little Brian, dressed in smart black suit, watched from the back as the song Your Cheating Heart by Hank Williams started the service.

The Lord is My Shepherd and, one of Connolly's favourite hymns, Eternal Father Strong to Save, were sung.

After the funeral his body was taken to be cremated at a private service for family and close friends.