Singer Georgie Fame led mourners at the funeral of his wife, Nicolette Powell, who died after falling 250 feet from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol on 13 August. The 52-year-old former debutante was seen falling from the central span of the bridge, a known suicide spot, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
A small group of family mourners attended a brief service at St Andrew's parish church in Stoke Trister, Somerset, followed by a private cremation in Salisbury. An inquest opened last week by the Bristol coroner has been adjourned to a later date.
Fame, 50, born Clive Powell, spoke in June of his love for his wife, attributing their happy marriage to her 'charm, beauty, forbearance and understanding'. In a statement issued through his solicitors, he said: 'Nicolette Elaine Katherine Powell was cremated today at Salisbury and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy was respected at this difficult time.'
Ms Powell, daughter of a wealthy stockbroker, was one of the last debutantes presented to the Queen. She married Fame in 1972 after the singer was cited for adultery in a divorce case involving her first husband, the Marquis of Londonderry, whom she married at 17.
Fame is the only British star to have scored three number one hits with his only Top 10 chart entries: 'Yeh Yeh' (1964), 'Get Away' (1966), and 'Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde' (1967).
