'Goodnight and God bless': Funeral of Johnny Welly held

That was the closing message from the eulogy, read by Johnny Vegas, to much-loved local character John Smith, known as Johnny Welly, at his funeral today.

The service was held at a packed St Mary's Lowe House Catholic Church, followed by a burial at Windleshaw Chantry.

Beforehand there was a procession route for Johnny's hearse which set out from Neil Middlehurst Funeral Directors on Shaw Street and made its way around town, taking in Sherdley Court in Rainhill, where Johnny had lived before his death on August 21 aged 78.

Church bells rang and there was applause as the hearse arrived on North Road.

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There was a large turnout at the funeral, which was initially played a 20-minute compilation video featuring Johnny singing, laughing and talking in his own characteristic manner.

It featured many clips of Johnny dancing and on trips out at various locations, including the Dream statue in Sutton Manor.

Johnny's insight and humour drew frequent appreciative laughter from the congregation watching on before his coffin was carried in with pallbearers including his friends former boxers Martin Murray and Dave Gibson, and singer Dale Kinsley.

Former boxer Martin Murray was among the pallbearers

Lowe House parish priest Father Tom Gagie then opened the service with a prayer, followed by a gospel reading and then the first hymn, appropriately chosen as The Lord of the Dance.

After clips of Johnny dancing, the eulogy was read via video by comedian and actor Johnny Vegas.

In this he paid tribute to Johnny's "incredible strength of character" and his ability to "overcome many of the challenges" in his life.

"Johnny lived life on his own terms," he added.

"We often judge people by how rich or successful they are but in terms of giving joy to other people, there were few people as rich as John.

It was said he "had many friends in St Helens and further afield" and during his life had lived in London and places across the country.

Johnny was "greeted fondly by everyone" while in the places he often visited, including St Helens town centre, Newton-le-Willows and Ormskirk.

The order of service

"It is very fitting that Johnny is being laid to rest in the (Windleshaw) Chantry where he spent so much of his time," added Johnny Vegas.

"He loves animals and said he preferred them to people.

"Johnny was a deeply spiritual person and although he didn't attend church in the traditional sense, he would visit the cemeteries, and especially the Chantry."

Johnny's love of singing was also reflected on, especially the time he stole the limelight with an impromptu performance dancing to the cameras to Chuck Berry classic Johnny B. Goode at Church Square in 2014 while Stillia played during the Westfield Street Music Festival.

Several of the tributes posted on the Star's social media pages were then read out by Johnny Vegas, who added his own to finish.

"For me personally, he was and always will be St Helens' greatest superstar".

He closed with the message, as Johnny Welly himself would say: "Goodnight and God bless."

May The Choirs of Angels was played during the blessing before hymn Amazing Grace was sang as Johnny's coffin was carried back out of the church for the  hearse to make its way to Johnny's final resting place at Windleshaw Chantry.

The service took place at Lowe House