Tributes are pouring in for Bonnie Tyler, the husky-voiced “Total Eclipse of the Heart” singer, who has died, aged 75.
News of the Welsh singer’s death was announced by her family, who said on Thursday (9 July) that she “unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for”.
Tyler was originally rushed to hospital on 30 April, and reports emerged that the singer had been placed in an induced coma.
Shortly afterwards, her team described her recovery as “a slow process”, but said doctors were confident she would get better.
Follow all the updates below
Bonnie Tyler death
- Bonnie Tyler has died, aged 75
- Cliff Richard leads tributes to beloved singer
- Bonnie Tyler – a life in pictures
- The Welsh singer whose voice was ‘what rock’n’roll is all about’
- Star represented UK at Eurovision
Bonnie Tyler said she had no plans to 'slow down' in final TV interview
13:20 , Lauren MorrisBonnie Tyler revealed that she wasn’t planning on retiring in her last TV interview back in February.
The 75-year-old told Lorraine Kelly on her ITV show in February that she hoped to take a step back next year, she kept “being asked to do shows”.
Pete Waterman: 'Tyler was one of the great British artists'
13:00 , Lauren MorrisMusic producer Pete Waterman has paid tribute to Bonnie Tyler, saying that she was “equal to Tina Turner”.
He told BBC News that she was “the new thing on the block” when he started his career in the Seventies. “We could see her being made into a star,” he said.
“She had an amazing voice, and was equal to Tina Turner in my opinion,” he added, describing her as “one of the great British artists”.
Bonnie Tyler had 'fantastic' time performing final show
12:40 , Jacob StolworthyWhen Bonnie Tyler performed at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on 19 March, nobody knew it would be her final ever show.
The following day, the singer shared a post on her Facebook page, calling it a “fantastic night”.
She started complaining of ill health shortly after and was forced to postpone a string of dates before her hospitalisation in April.
The first moment Bonnie Tyler heard 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'
12:25 , Jacob StolworthyDuring her final TV appearance on Lorraine in February, Bonnie Tyler recalled hearing her hit 1983 song for the first time.
"Well, the first time I had heard it, I had shivers up my spine, you know. I couldn't believe that [Jim Steinman] was giving me this song to sing. It was always my dream.
"I wanted desperately to work with him. At the time, my record company said to me, 'Oh Bonnie, he's never gonna do it,' and [I said], 'The least you could do is ask him, you know. You're asking me who I want to work with, and I'm telling you.' And they said, 'Don't hold your breath.' And anyway, he did and I have two albums with him."
Keir Starmer 'saddened' by death of 'one of Britain's greatest recording artists'
12:13 , Jacob StolworthyDowning Street said Sir Keir Starmer is saddened to hear about the death of Welsh pop star Bonnie Tyler.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is indeed saddened to hear about the death of Bonnie Tyler, one of Britain’s greatest recording artists.
“An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music, which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors, and fill karaoke booths. The Prime Minister’s thoughts are very much with her friends and family.”
Bonnie Tyler death news rocks This Morning
12:12 , Jacob StolworthyThis Morning presenter Ben Shephard announced the news on Thursday’s episode, telling viewers: “Really, really sad news has been announced just a few moments ago Our thoughts are with all her friends and family during this really distressing time."
His co-host Cat Deeley called her “a lovely, lovely lady”.
Meanwhile, broadcaster Nick Ferrari said “she was the most grounded person” he’s interviewed, adding: “I remember her saying she couldn't quite believe how lucky she'd been – a girl from Wales – and she never took it for granted. Great loss.”
Morning Live halted to honour singer
12:03 , Jacob StolworthyWelsh presenter Gethin Jones paused proceedings on BBC series Morning Live after being informed o f Bonnie Tyler’s death.
“I met Bonnie a few years ago during the Queen’s Jubilee in Swansea,” Jones said.
“She walked out and everyone just stopped. She had the most infectious, energetic personality, when it just lifts everyone.”
Sir Cliff Richard: 'Another wonderful friend gone too soon'
11:49 , Jacob StolworthyThe “Summer Holiday” singer paid tribute to his good friend, Bonnie Tyler, praising her “infectious zest for life” that “entertained so many around the world”.
He continued: “It is shocking news to wake up to you this morning and I send my love to her family at this very sad time. RIP Bonnie…. Cliff.”
Tributes pour in for Bonnie Tyler
11:30 , Jacob StolworthyBroadcaster Carol Vorderman
“I’m so very sorry to hear this. As a Welsh woman Bonnie and her music represented so much to us , it was about fighting and power and living life without apology. May you rest in Musical Glory Bonnie.”
Musician Tina Arena
“I’ve got goosebumps reading this. I was so lucky to have crossed her path some years ago. We both performed together for Andrew Lloyd Webbers 50th birthday at the Royal Albert hall. She was a formidable woman and artist. RIP darling Bonnie.”
Former Genesis singer Ray Wilson
“She was such a lovely person and a real legend. I never forget when she asked to speak to my Mum, to cheer her up. The world needs more of the compassion she showed. She'll be sadly missed.”
Roachford, 1980s and 1990s band
“So so sad…what a lovely lovely soul she was. RIP Bonnie.”
Bonnie Tyler - a life in pictures
11:13 , Jacob Stolworthy.jpg)
Wales has 'lost a true icon'
11:02 , Jacob StolworthyWales’ First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has paid tribute to Bonnie Tyler.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bonnie Tyler,” he wrote on X.
"Wales has lost a true icon, whose music brought joy to so many.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans across the world."
Film studio personally asked Tyler to record song for 'Footloose'
10:58 , Jacob StolworthyIn 1984, Paramount Pictures asked Bonnie Tyler to record a song for the soundtrack to Footloose. The result was “Holding Out For a Hero”.
She was invited to the Paramount film studios in Los Angeles to watch the film rushes to see how the song would fit into the plot.
Why Bonnie Tyler never got tired of singing her hits
10:55 , Jacob StolworthyIn the final decades of her career, Tyler spent significant time touring the world, re-performing her hits.
“People ask me if I get tired singing the old songs, but why wouldn’t I love singing something like ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart?’” shes aid.
“As soon as I start one of those numbers, the whole audience sings it back to me — it’s magic.”
She added that touring is what kept her going. “I consider myself a working-class girl and I’ve never stopped working.
The secret behind Bonnie Tyler's signature voice
10:50 , Jacob StolworthyAfter her first hit, “Lost in France”, in 1976, Tyler developed vocal cord nodules and underwent surgery. She didn’t know if she would sing again – but when she next performed, she realised her voice had changed.
“I sounded like a female Rod Stewart,” she said after discovering her new husky tones.
Tyler has spoken about being insecure about her voice in the past, telling The Times in 2025 that she was “very nervous” talking between songs because of her Welsh accent.
“I had some elocution lessons, but now I’m delighted that I’ve kept my accent and that Tom Jones did too,” she said.
Bonnie Tyler represented UK at Eurovision
10:46 , Jacob StolworthyThe Welsh singer represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Malmö, Sweden.
She performed the song “Believe In Me” and finished in 19th place.
Bonnie Tyler's career – in short
10:44 , Jacob StolworthyBorn Gaynor Hopkins, Tyler was entered into a local talent competition by her aunt as a teenager and became inspired to pursue a career in singing.
Tyler found work as a backing singer for various bands and she was scouted in 1975 and received a record deal with RCA, who recommended she change her name – she chose Bonnie Tyler, while searching through newspapers for name inspiration.
She had her first hit with “It’s a Heartache” in 1977 – and she was booked as Tom Jones’s support act.
After “Total Eclipse of the Heart” became one of her most popular singles of all time, Tyler’s fifth studio album, Faster Than The Speed of Light, debuted at No. 1 on the UK albums chart.
Tyler’s work earned her three Grammy Award nominations and three Brit Award nominations. She was awarded an MBE in 2023.
Her final studio album was The Best Is Yet to Come, which was released in 2021.
Bonnie Tyler's voice was ‘what rock’n’roll is all about’
10:39 , Jacob StolworthyBonnie Tyler will be remembered for her early Eighties hits “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out For a Hero” – but it was her ragged, expressive vocals that made her a star, writes Kevin E G Perry
Bonnie Tyler: The Welsh singer whose voice was ‘what rock’n’roll is all about’
Bonnie Tyler's final TV interview
10:37 , Jacob StolworthyBonnie Tyler said she had no intention of slowing down in her last TV interview before her death, aged 75.
Appearing on Lorraine in February, in her final TV interview, the singer was praised by host Lorraine Kelly for “looking fantastic”. Kelly added: “No sign of you slowing down whatsoever, Bonnie.”
Tyler agreed and said that next year she thought she may take a step back, though “I keep being asked to do shows”.
'Total Eclipse of the Heart'
10:35 , Jacob StolworthyAmong Tyler’s best- known songs was the epic power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, released in 1983.
The song was the singer’s biggest hit and led to her receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Tyler herself believed the song – clocking in at longer than seven minutes – was too lengthy for radio, and backed an edited version, which lasted four minutes.
She once described the song as "a challenge” to sing, and took pride in her performance as she “doesn’t like songs that anybody can sing”.
Bonnie Tyler had been in hospital for months before 'unexpected' death
10:27 , Jacob StolworthyThe singer was rushed to hospital on 30 April. She had emergency intestinal surgery and was placed in an induced coma.
Tyler remained in hospital while doctors aided her recovery – however, she died “unexpectedly” on Wednesday (8 July).
Her family and team have said they are “hearbroken”.
Bonnie Tyler has died 'unexpectedly', aged 75
10:25 , Jacob Stolworthy
‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer Bonnie Tyler dies, aged 75
