'Heartbroken' Catherine Zeta-Jones leads tributes to singer Bonnie Tyler

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Watch: A look back at Bonnie Tyler's career from Swansea to superstardom By Paul Glynn and Helen Bushby Culture reporters Published 9 July 2026, 10:04 BST Updated 4 hours ago Oscar-winning actress and Wednesday star Catherine Zeta-Jones has led the tributes to singer Bonnie Tyler, known for hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, who has died at the age of 75. The popular Welsh powerhouse singer died "unexpectedly" on Wednesday night at a Portugal hospital, "as a result of the illness that she was being treated for", her family said in a "heartbroken" statement released on the star's official website , external . Zeta-Jones paid her respects on Instagram , external , saying her heart was "broken" with the news that "our dearest Bonnie Tyler has passed away". Tyler is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan, who is Zeta-Jones's cousin. Image source, Getty Images Live coverage: Powerhouse singer Bonnie Tyler dies aged 75 The Chicago movie star, who shared a photograph of herself with the singer, continued: "A one of kind artist, who so easily could have been a comedian because she was one of the funniest people I ever met. "Thank you Bonnie for the joy you brought so many. Sleep tight beautiful lady." Back in 2000, Zeta-Jones asked Tyler to sing Total Eclipse of the Heart at her wedding to fellow film star Michael Douglas in New York. Writing on the late singer's Instagram page , external , Zeta-Jones also commented: "Our Queen Bonnie….. you were such a part of my life." Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Catherine Zeta Jones was related to Bonnie Tyler's husband Tyler's fellow pop star Sir Cliff Richard said he was mourning "another wonderful friend gone too soon". "Bonnie's infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world," he wrote on social media, describing her as "a good friend to all, including me". Rock star Bryan Adams wrote on X that Tyler "had such a great voice", adding he would "always be grateful of her beautiful version" of his track, Straight From The Heart. In May, Tyler, from Skewen in south Wales, was placed into an induced coma after having emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal. Last month, her spokesperson said she was out of the coma but remained "very unwell and in intensive care". The official family statement, released on Thursday morning, continued: "We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy." A Downing Street spokesman said UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was "saddened" to hear about the death of "one of Britain's greatest recording artists". Describing Tyler as an "iconic figure", he stressed "she leaves behind a catalogue of music... which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths." 'Amazing voice' and 'Welsh icon' Rhun ap Iorwerth, the First Minister