Dec's sad farewell to his father

The television star’s father, Alphonsus Donnelly, 78, died last Friday in hospital following a battle with lung cancer.

Friends and family gathered at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, in Newcastle City Centre, to pay their respects on Saturday.

Dec, along with his brother, Father Dermott Donnelly, acted as lead pallbearers following the Requiem Mass, during which Amazing Grace was sung.

Lifelong friend Ant Mc- Partlin consoled his costar and offered him words of reassurance as they left the church.

Dec looked anguished as he was comforted by members of the congregation, and a simple floral tribute which read “Dad”, made of white chrysanthemums and yellow roses, was laid in the back of the hearse.

A bouquet of white lillies and yellow roses was laid on the coffin.

The funeral was followed by an interment at Newcastle’s West Road Cemetery.

Earlier in the week, Dec spoke of his grief, saying: “My dad had lung cancer and was treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle.

“I was with him at the end, with the family.

“I just want to be with them so we can all be together and to support them through this. It’s been a tough summer.”

Alphonsus was known affectionately as Foncey to his family and friends.

Tributes were paid to Mr Donnelly earlier this week. He was married to Anne and had seven children, of which Dec is the youngest.

Members of his family said he was also a muchloved father-in-law and a devoted granfather to his 11 grandchildren.

Mr Donnelly and his wife moved to Newcastle from Northern Ireland in the Fifties.

The couple became heavily involved in the city’s Irish community, working as stewards for many years with the Tyneside Irish Centre.

Pauline O’Donnell, who works at the centre, has known the family for more than 40 years.

She said: “He was wellknown and loved. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”