Summary

  • A procession and funeral take place for The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint

  • The procession began in Braintree, Essex, at about 15:30 GMT

  • Hearse arrived at St Mary's Church, Bocking, soon after 16:00

  • Private service was relayed to fans outside

  • Many people lined the streets at the band's request to "raise the roof for Keef"

  • Private committal held following service while fans partied outside the church

  • The dance music megastar, 49, was found dead at his Essex home on 4 March

  • A post-mortem examination found a provisional cause of death was hanging

  • Keith famously sung on the group's '90s hits Firestarter and Breathe

Live Reporting

  1. Goodbye - to you, and to the one-and-only Keith Flint

    As we leave Prodigy fans to dance into the night, we say thank you for following us on a day we said goodbye to a music legend - and we don't say that lightly.

    Keith Flint - what a hero. Thanks for all the memories!

    Keith FlintGetty Images

    Scroll down to see the afternoon's events, as thousands of people lined the streets of Essex to pay their respects to the 49-year-old dance music pioneer, who died from hanging earlier this month.

    Today is a poignant reminder that if you are struggling to cope, you can contact the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or follow this link to access support services.

  2. Thousands attend Keith Flint's funeral

    Keith Flint: The Prodigy frontman's funeral attended by thousands

  3. At the scene

    Doug Faulkner
    BBC News Online

    The mood swung from wild raving to moments of respectful silence and others of hilarity as stories of Keith Flint's life were told.

    Drum and bass music blared as revellers awaited the arrival of the funeral procession, before the thrum of motorbike engines could be heard escorting the coffin to the church.

    As Flint's bandmates Liam Howlett, Maxim and Leeroy Thornhill approached the church they were cheered by the crowds who shouted "we are with you".

    During the service some sobbed, others sang along with the music.

  4. Well-wishers applaud as coffin led back to hearse

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  5. Party spills out on to the streets

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  6. Keith Flint funeral: In pictures

    Keith Flint's coffin.Reuters
    Keith Flint's coffin.Reuters
    Crowds gather for Keith Flint's funeral.Joe Giddens/PA Wire
    Floral tributes at Keith Flint's funeralGetty Images
    Floral tribute to Keith Flint.Getty Images
    Flags flying at Keith Flint's funeralGetty Images
    Fans at Keith Flint's funeral.Getty Images
    Man at Keith Flint's funeralGetty Images
    Prodigy fans hug at Keith Flint's funeral.Getty Images
    Woman looks at floral tributes.Getty Images

  7. Recap of events

    If you're just joining us, we've been following the procession and funeral as music fans paid tribute to Prodigy singer Keith Flint, who died at his home in Essex earlier this month.

    Here's a round-up of what's gone on this afternoon:

    • The hearse left Braintree at about 15:30 GMT and worked its way to St Mary's Church in Bocking
    • The coffin of Prodigy star arrived at his funeral to the sound of heavy metal music, applause and a shout of "live forever"
    • Music fans had travelled from as far afield as Australia to gather outside the church, with flags flying and floral tributes piled up in the churchyard
    • A hearse with orange flowers spelling out "Keef" was followed by a second, drawn by four black horses
    • One of Flint's dogs was led up the path to the church ahead of his coffin, which was carried by six pallbearers as the song Aerials by System of a Down played as the processional music
    • His bandmate Liam Howlett followed in the group behind. Flint's wife Mayumi Kai arrived earlier with celebrities from the world of music
    • The service included readings from Prodigy live drummer Leo Crabtree and actor Paul Kaye, and songs Days Like This by Van Morrison, Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, That's Entertainment by The Jam and A Message To You Rudy by The Specials
    • Following the service, hundreds of fans began partying in the street outside

  8. 'The most life-changing gig I have ever been to'

    I wish to extend my well wishes to all the family, band and fans whose lives have been blessed by Keith and the Prodigy. Wish there were magic words to ease the pain of the ones closest to him. The ‘why’ may always elude us, Keith forged his own path through life, sometimes that vast energy is too difficult to contain. Had the pleasure of meeting Keith backstage at V97, obtaining tickets due to a loose familial connection. Only two years previously (aged 13), I had received Experience and Jilted Generation as a gift from my step-father. Didn't like them initially, too full-on for my, more mellow, popular taste. Something told me to persevere, that this was different yes, but in a ground-breaking way. By V97, I was a huge fan. Nothing, however, could prepare me for the raw energy of the live performance. I went back to Southend a more enlightened person. It was the perfect balance between technical wizardry and stage mastery. Still remains the most life-changing gig I have ever been to - Thank you.

    James Ryan, Norwich

  9. Prodigy fans dance into the evening

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  10. 'It'll never be the same again' without Keith

    These Prodigy fans have been listening to their music for 25 years and said they travelled four hours from Birmingham to be at the funeral.

    "It was so emotional and perfect for such a lovely guy.

    Prodigy fans.

    "We've got to thank the Prodigy for allowing the fans to join in today. It was amazing.

    "But part of our history's gone and it'll never be the same again without him."

  11. Party atmosphere in Essex village after funeral

    Stuart Howells
    BBC Radio Suffolk

    As the church service ended, fans gathered outside and began to cheer and chant "Keith".

    Crowds in Bocking.

    And it's turned into a party atmosphere outside The Retreat pub, based opposite the church.

    I reckon there's about 200 people partying on the street outside, with police keeping a watchful eye on things.

    Crowds in Bocking.

  12. Fans gather around Keith Flint tributes after service

    As the sun begins to set in Bocking after Keith Flint's funeral, fans continue to pay their respects...

    Fans pay tribute to Keith Flint.
    Fans pay tribute to Keith Flint.
    Tribute to Keith Flint.

  13. Keith Flint was 'an influential icon of our generation'

    As mourners start to make their way home, Wayne Harry from Colchester was among the people gathered outside the church to listen to the service for Keith Flint.

    Wayne Harry from Colchester.

    He said: "He was such an influential icon of our generation.

    "It was a really sad service but it was good to see so many people here who thought so much of him.

    "I first saw the Prodigy in 1993 and have followed them ever since.

    "The energy he brought to the band... he'll be sadly missed by lots of people."

  14. Coffin leaves the church

    Coffin

  15. Funeral comes to an end

    A minute's silence was followed by the Lord's Prayer and some final words from the reverend.

    Minute's silence.bbc

    He said: "We thank the fans for the outpouring of love they have shown.

    "Today, while we recognise we have lost Keith, his energy is still alive in us all.

    "Keith's life force is in each and every one of you. Don't let that fire go out.

    "Through you, Keith lives forever."

    A private service for committal for close friends and family will now follow.

  16. Eulogy: 'Life on the razor's edge'

    Delivering the eulogy, Paul Kaye read a tribute on behalf of Prodigy bandmate Liam Howlett: "You liked to live your life on the razor's edge for the buzz.

    "You were an anti-star, a pirate and committed to our cause of shaking people's souls and buildings."

  17. Keith Flint's cortege arrives at church

    Keith Flint funeral: Prodigy singer's cortege arrives at church

  18. Keith giving stage managers a nightmare

    This story has just been relayed to mourners...

    "Keith had a tendency of putting people on guest lists, not just one or two people but 50."

  19. 'That night was everything to me'

    Whilst taking full advantage of the access all areas crew & production pass my mate hooked me up with, I once met them briefly backstage at Global Gathering in 2009. Keith just gave me a nod, thumbs up & "you alright mate?" To most people that was an insignificant gesture but to me it meant everything, an albeit extremely brief interaction with my hero. As I walked past Liam I shook his hand & wished him a good show to which he said "Thanks mate, enjoy." During 'Smack My Bitch Up' Maxim came down to where I was stood in between the stage & barrier for the crowd & got me to lift him up onto the barrier to address the explosive crowd. That night was everything to me as a huge fan.

    RIP Keith, you'll be deeply missed, but NEVER forgotten.

    Simon O'Regan

  20. Amusing anecdotes coming out of the funeral

    Doug Faulkner
    BBC News Online

    We've heard anecdotes about the band's recent tour of Australia and other stories at the funeral.

    Some people are crying outside the church and you can still hear the hum of motorbikes that came with the procession.

    One story spoke about Keith's albino python... apparently the band once went to do some Japanese press and Keith arrived with this big snake on his neck and all the press ran away.

    Luckily no snakes seen so far today.