Martyn Hett Funeral: Star-Studded Crowd Gives Manchester Bombing Victim A 'Theatrical' Send Off

'He will live on as an inspiration.'

Coronation Street stars Helen Worth and Kym Marsh were among a celeb-studded crowd to pay their respects to Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett at his funeral in Stockport today.

The 29-year-old Corrie superfan - who was known for his tattoo of Deidre Barlow - was one of 22 people killed when terrorist Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb at an Ariana Grande concert in May.

Mourners paid their respect to Corrie superfan Martyn Hett today, one of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing
Mourners paid their respect to Corrie superfan Martyn Hett today, one of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing
Handout . / Reuters

Family and friends of the PR manager gathered at Stockport Town Hall for a service to commemorate his life, alongside celebrity fans including soap actors Anthony Cotton and Jennie McAlpine.

The funeral was screened outside of the town hall for the hundreds of people unable to fit inside.

Helen Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre in Coronation Street, attended the funeral
Helen Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre in Coronation Street, attended the funeral
PA Wire/PA Images
Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Brown, arriving at the funeral
Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Brown, arriving at the funeral
PA Wire/PA Images
Kym Marsh was pictured arriving with Corrie producer Kate Oates
Kym Marsh was pictured arriving with Corrie producer Kate Oates
PA Wire/PA Images

Paying tribute to his “beautiful son”, Paul Hett led a minute’s applause at the service.

“He would be loving every minute of this fantastic celebration,” he added.

Hett’s coffin - which was Corrie themed - arrived in a carriage drawn by two white horses.

Mariah Carey, Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and comedian Jason Manford all recorded video tributes to Hett for the service.

Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus also sang at the funeral. Earlier this year, Hett travelled 24 hours on a MegaBus to watch her perform in Stirling, McManus told those gathered at the service.

“I didn’t know Martyn for that long... I’m just someone who met Martyn because he was so kind to me,” the singer said.

“I will be forever grateful I knew Martyn, because he was just so lovely.

“I will never forget Martyn and he will always be in my thoughts,” she added.

Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus performed at the funeral
Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus performed at the funeral
ITV News

Hett’s mother Figen Murray told Sky News this morning that her son’s funeral was set to be “almost theatrical”.

“It seems that he was fearless about life as well because he wasn’t frightened of talking about his own death.

“He actually had discussed and planned his funeral the way he wanted to exit.”

She said Hett had wanted to have two white horses at his funeral and for everyone to dress in black “with something fabulous”.

“He will live on as an inspiration to people,” Murray added.

Hett was one of 22 people killed in the Manchester bombing
Hett was one of 22 people killed in the Manchester bombing
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Appearing alongside his wife, Hett’s stepfather Stuart Murray said the couple have forgiven bomber Abedi.

“I think he’s just a sad, misled person,” he said.

“What makes me feel better is this just overwhelming love in the world that I have experienced and seen.”

Hett’s funeral comes on the same day a service was held for 15-year-old Manchester bombing victim Megan Hurley in Merseyside.

Reveren Jane Durham, from St Nicholas Church, Halewood, where the funeral will be held, said: “The pain of losing Megan has been deeply felt in our community and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends, as well as all those who are grieving for others affected by the Manchester atrocity.”

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