Martyn Hett funeral: Mariah Carey and Coronation Street stars join hundreds paying tribute at funeral to Manchester attack victim

Francesca Gillett30 June 2017

Mariah Carey, radio DJ Nick Grimshaw and stars from Coronation Street have joined hundreds of mourners to pay tribute to Manchester terror attack victim Martyn Hett.

The funeral of 29-year-old Mr Hett, who was a superfan of the popular soap and had a large tattoo of character Deirdre Barlow, is being held at Stockport Town Hall on Friday.

Crowds spilled out of the building and gathered on the street outside to celebrate his life as they watched the service on big screens.

Special recorded messages from pop superstar Ms Carey - of whom Mr Hett was a massive fan - as well as BBC Radio One DJ Mr Grimshaw and comedian Jason Manford were played to mourners.

Martyn Hett Funeral - In pictures

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In the message, Ms Carey said: "I just wanted to say that I love you and I'm so happy that we got a chance to meet and I know you're shining down on us from heaven.

"I'm happy that all your family and friends are gathered together in honour of you and that I played a strong role in your life is an honour to me."

Mr Hett’s one-of-a-kind coffin had the words “iconic” printed on the top and was brightly decorated with Coronation Street-themed pictures.

His family reportedly wore glitter and colourful shoes along with their black outfits to pay tribute to the PR manager who was described by colleagues as “fun and energetic”.

Victim: Martyn Hett, 29, died in the attack.

Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus – who was contacted by fan Mr Hett on social media – also spoke at the service about remembering Mr Hett's “little face, beaming up at me and singing every word” at a gig in London.

She said: "I'm just someone that met Martyn because Martyn was so kind to me and kindness is really under-rated, I think, in this world today.

"So for the short time that I knew Martyn, those few years, I'll be forever grateful I knew Martyn, because Martyn was just so lovely and made such an impact on my life.

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"For as long as I live I'll never forget Martyn and Martyn will always be in my thoughts."

She sang Emotional and All This Time, the song which she released after winning the TV talent contest in 2003.

Other famous faces at the service were stars from Coronation Street including Kym Marsh, Helen Worth, Antony Cotton and Jennie McAlpine.

Mr Hett's coffin was brightly decorated wth a cat and references to Coronation Street.
PA

DJ Nick Grimshaw said: "It's so sad to think that he's not going to be there every day to make us laugh in the way that he used to.

"He's a real inspiration and the one thing that I remember from Martyn is that he was a genuine inspiration on how to live your life and he found the joy in every day life and I think we should all try and remember that."

recorded a video message which was played, calling Mr Hett a "true inspiration" while comedian Jason Manford also sent a video tribute saying "the world has been robbed of a potential superstar".

Mr Hett's Coronation Street-themed coffin being carried into the town hall.
PA

His father Paul told the service that Mr Hett “loved being in the limelight” and “would have loved this fantastic celebration”.

Crowds then broke out into a minute’s applause in his memory.

His family had said anyone was welcome to join them to celebrate his life.

Victim: Mr Hett was set to go on a trip of a lifetime to the US.
Twitter

Mr Hett was one of 22 people killed in the blast as crowds left an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on May 22.

Mariah Carey, another of Mr Hett’s favourite singers, previously paid a touching tribute to the victim, pledging: “We will cherish your memory forever.”

A statement from Mr Hett's family called him “the icon of all our lives”.

They said: “His infectious laugh and his niche sense of humour will stay with us forever.”

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