Coronation Street stars attend funeral of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett

Martyn Hett, 29, who worked as a digital manager for Altrincham-based Rumpus PR, was a "superfan" of the ITV1 soap and even had a tattoo of Weatherfield stalwart Deirdre Barlow on his leg.

In attendance at the funeral at Stockport Town Hall were actors Helen Worth (Gail McIntyre), Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Brown), Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), Anthony Cotton (Sean Tully) and the show's producer Kate Oates.

His Coronation Street-themed coffin arrived at the service in a horse-drawn carriage and was greeted by a minute's applause before it entered the building to the tune of Beautiful by Mariah Carey.

A recorded message from the popstar was played to the hundreds of people who attended the service.

In the message, she 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."

Former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus welcomed guests to the service in which the dress code was "black and fabulous", and was due to sing during the ceremony.

Mr Hett was a massive fan of the Scottish singer and once spent more than 24 hours on a coach to travel to see her in concert.

Speaking in the days leading up to the service, his mother Figen Murray and stepfather Stuart Murray said it was only after his death that they realised how well known Mr Hett was through social media.

Mrs Murray said: "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.

"It's going to be almost theatrical actually."

The family of Mr Hett, who appeared on reality shows Tattoo Fixers and Come Dine With Me, have asked for donations to the Kidscan Children's Cancer Charity, Beechwood Children's Bereavement Service and Beacon Counselling in Mr Hett's memory.

A funeral service for 15-year-old Megan Hurley, another of the 22 victims of the May 22 atrocity, was also taking place on Friday in her home town of Halewood, Merseyside.

Paying tribute, his father Paul Hett told the congregation: "It was in the early hours of Tuesday morning that we were told by his friends Martyn was missing.

"Our world was instantly turned upside down and from that moment and all along our painful journey which brought us here today we were cared for with so much empathy and understanding by everyone concerned.

"We are so very proud of Martyn.

"I would describe Martyn's life as one long rollercoaster ride. You never knew where it would take you or what was round that corner, but you couldn't wait for it to happen.

"He was inspirational and this in turn inspired everyone around him.

"His comic timing was perfect. He would have gone on to achieve the most amazing things, of that we have no doubt.

"In a very nice way, Martyn loved being in the limelight and the centre of attention. He would be loving every minute of this fantastic celebration of his life."