Lil' Chris funeral green balloon tribute

A private funeral was held for Chris Hardman in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth.

Green balloons have been released at a ceremony to celebrate the life of singer Lil' Chris.

A private funeral service was held in Gorleston, Norfolk, on Wednesday for the 24-year-old, whose real name was Chris Hardman.

Friends and family then gathered at Claremont Pier in the singer's hometown of Lowestoft to release the balloons - chosen to match his favourite colour.

Hardman was found dead last month at a house in Lowestoft.

George Goddard said he would remember Chris Hardman from his time performing as Lil' Chris

After the funeral, a larger group gathered at Lowestoft's Zoo bar to toast Hardman with a round of his favourite drink, whisky and Coke.

The party, which included McBusted's James Bourne, then released balloons into the mist off the pier.

Hardman, who rose to fame in Channel 4's Rock School, had been battling with depression.

Chris Hardman had success as a solo musician after starring in Channel 4's Rock School

Update 10 April 2015: This story, which featured comments from someone who had attended the funeral, has been amended following objections from the family of Chris Hardman.