GWENT'S New Romantic pop pioneer Steve Strange was given a flamboyant send off today as celebrities mixed with fans at the funeral of the 1980s star.

Singer Boy George, members of Spandau Ballet and celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke attended the lavish memorial to the Newbridge-raised former Visage singer.

A jazz band played "I'm the King of the Swingers" as it led his hearse to the church - and an orchestral version of his biggest hit "Fade to Grey" was played as his coffin was brought in with his favourite pointed hat perched upon it.

See more pictures of Steve Strange's funeral in Porthcawl today

Spandau Ballet brothers Gary and Martin Kemp along with bandmate Steve Norman carried the coffin plastered with pictures of Strange from the eighties - singer Tony Hadley was also in the congregation. Also at the service were Wham! backing singer Shirley Kemp and ABC singer Martin Fry.

Strange, born Steve John Harrington, died aged 55 following a heart attack while on holiday in the Sharm el-Sheikh resort in Egypt.

More than 300 people attended his "deliberately flamboyant" funeral at All Saints church in Porthcawl - mixing a traditonal male voice choir with electro-pop.

Police closed the roads surrounding All Saints Church hours ahead of the 12.30pm funeral service because of concerns over congestion as hundreds of mourners and fans turned up to pay their respects to the style icon.

During the service his favourite hymns "Morning has Broken" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful" were sung by the packed congregation.

Boy George read a specially composed poem in which he said "goodbye" to his long time friend.

During the poem he described Steve as "a part time nemesis, new romantic, old romantic, futurist fashionista, Welshman, weirdo, sister, saint and sinner."

Steve Norman, saxophonist with Spandau Ballet, told the congregation his friend was a "very sensitive, generous and caring and special human being with a massive heart."

He told of how "sensitive soul" Strange had given him and Martin Kemp their break.

Mr Norman said: "A lot has been said since Steve passed about the pop culture and how he shaped it in the 80s. We wish a few more people had said it when he was around.

"Steve needed that affirmation to show how much he was loved.

"He was a very generous man, first and foremost he was my friend. He took myself and Martin Kemp under his wing. We didn't have any money then in the 70s but he found out what was happening and paid for us and our drinks and we had a great time.

"Christmas was the last time I spoke to Steve he was a little distraught and we had a mutual friend who had fallen out with Steve and Steve was worried I might take the other side.

"I reminded him of the early days and what he did for all of us - he loved people and really needed to connect with people.

"I remember saying I loved him dearly and he said he loved me.

"He then went to hang up but accidentally left his phone off the hook and I heard him say "Oh Steve loves me and I love him," he was just so sensitive.

"He was a very sensitive, generous and caring and special human being with a massive heart."

Mr Norman's eulogy was met with applause by the congregation.

The funeral ended with his friends carrying out his coffin as the male voice choir sang the Welsh love song Myfanwy.

Strange's close friend Jayce Lewis and personal assistant Amanda Lloyd planned the lavish send-off for the ‘80s trendsetter - with the church having a "reserved area for VIPs".

Jayce said: “The family decided that the funeral should be a celebration of Strange’s life and the funeral will be open to the public.

“The family thought it was important that fans of Steve from around the world should have the opportunity to be in attendance."

Following the service a wake was held in honour of the singer at the beachfront Hi-Tide pub in the seaside town where Strange and his family have lived for many years.

The wake saw members of Visage performing with invited guests paying their own tributes to the colourful life of the style chameleon.

Before the wake Jayce said: “Some of us will get up and perform Steve’s songs. There will also be a big screen with his life playing out.

“The wake will again be open to the public.

“There will be a VIP area for the family and close friends, but fans are welcomed to attend and help celebrate Steve.

“It’s going to a big undertaking, but as difficult as it’s been to lose a dear friend, it’s been overwhelming to see the coverage of Steve’s life and how loved he was,” added Jayce.

“So we want to celebrate his life and make it as fitting as we can to Steve Strange. To do that we’re going to make it big, bold and beautiful.”

Fans were touched a the turnout by the 80's celebrities.

Donna Cadette, 52, said: "I just had to be here today to say farewell to Steve. He made the eighties what it was for all of us.

"For people like Spandau and Boy George to be here in Wales is lovely."