Grieving Prodigy fans turn out in force for Keith Flint's funeral (2024)

DJ Mayuma Kai was overcome with emotional today at the funeral of her late estranged husband Keith Flint as hundreds of fans descended on the streets of an Essex town for the Prodigy frontman's funeral.

The mourners packed the winding roads of Braintree to pay their respects to the charismatic frontman who died on March 4, with local schools closing for a'raise the roof' celebration of the 49-year old's life from 3pm.

Fans held a huge party in Keith Flint's honour in a 'raise the roof' celebration of his life this afternoon.

The 1.5-mile procession finished at St Mary's Church in Bocking where the service took place in private, with the order ofservice revealing metal group System of a Down's Aerials was the processional music.

Days Like This by Van Morrison, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here and That's Entertainment by The Jam also being played.Speakers relayed the service to the fans stood outside in the town where the Prodigy was formed.

As the black coffin was carried into the church, the classic Prodigy hit 'Out of Space' blared out, with grieving fans shouting 'live forever', 'we're with you' and 'we love you' as motorbike engines revved.

A touching eulogy written by Prodigy bandmate Liam Howlett was read out by Game of Thrones star and friend of Keith, Paul Kaye.

Howlett, who carried a heavy leather belt over his shoulderas he arrived with his wife Natalie Appleton, said of his former bandmate: 'Keith was always brutally honest and wasn’t afraid of anything. He said to me once when the time comes I’m not afraid to press the button.

'Keith you were a man of the people a man of integrity. A man of style and fearless self expression,the realest motherf*****.'

Prodigy vocalist Keith Palmer, better known by his stage name Maxim, was also at the service today and stood in as a pallbearer.

The cheers of the crowd were followed by sobs as the procession led by his dog entered the churchyard. A hearse featured orange flowers spelling out 'KEEF' with a floral acid house smiley face was also in the car.

The recessional music was A Message To You Rudy and a eulogy by Martin Roach was read by Game of Thrones star Paul Kaye. Donation's in Flint's memory were made to Battersea Dogs Home, Mind and Cancer Research UK.

A crowd had already formed by lunchtime outside the historic building, with The Retreat pub opening its doors to mourners. Men wearing Hawaiian shirts mixed with ravers wearing boiler suits in the sunny street.

The band's hits filled the air with flags stretching up into the sky. Fans sat on the green outside the 15th century church with well-wishers travelling from as far afield as Prague and Holland.

Marie Lelicova, 25, came from the Czech Republic to the service and was clad in a flag. The photography student said: 'I never met Keith but by being here at least I get the chance to tell him I love him.

'It is funny because when I first saw the video for Breath and I was scared of Keith and my mother said don't be worried he is just a nice clown. As I grew older I just started listening to them and loved their music.'

Araks Nazarian, 36, flew out from Sydney for the service. The dedicated fan and chef said: 'He was just one of the best people I knew, he would always appreciate people like me who would travel. '

'I saw him in Australia a month ago, he was fantastic, he was fine, he was happy. He saw me and said I hadn't changed and I must be forever youthful and then to do this.'

For others the service was a much more personal affair. Louisa Di Marco, 44, used to dance with Flint before the Prodigy struck it big. She said: 'I used to dance with them professionally in the 1990s.

'I knew him and I'm going to miss him, he was just one of the nicest I have ever met, he was lovely. I will miss having a coffee with him. When I dropped out of the scene to have a baby he was the only one to keep in touch.'

Dennis Kuhne, 40, who flew in from Germany, said he wanted to 'say goodbye to Keith'. 'I listened to them over 20 years,' he said. 'My first concert I think was in 1995 for the Jilted Generation tour.

'Since that time I follow the guys on almost every tour, festivals and everywhere they played in Germany. It's a pleasure to be here.'

Denny Lennon and Jessica Mason, both from the US, jumped on a plane to attend funeral because the band and icon meant an 'awful lot' to them and they needed to get closure.

Ms Lennon, 32, from New York, who has been a fan for 25 years, said: 'The band shaped me for who I am and their music is a part of me so I had to come and get closure for somebody who meant an awful lot to me.

'Basically, Keith and the Prodigy are the reason I danced my entire life and they sort of saved me when my mind would wander and those teenage years where you don't know who or where you are and you're like 'yes' and Prodigy became a part of me.

'They have definitely influenced me my entire life clearly I was into them as a kid and I am now at 32-years-old.'

'I just received my doc and I was going to several shows in my US and planning to meet with the guys this means too much to me to show my respects.

Ms Mason, her friend, said: 'I would have known nothing of the Prodigy if it wasn't for Denny. We met in college and I only knew about old school rock and it was her role to let me know about all rock and Prodigy was one of the first bands that she introduced me to.'

The 33-year-old said: 'I never got a chance to see them in a show and we were going to go to one in May and Denny had bought the tickets and I was finally going to get to see them. Not only just see it but feel it live and we didn't get that chance to see that but I took this trip with her to get the closure.'

Ms Lennon then said: 'We need to celebrate his life and Keith would want us to dance and celebrate and to bring that always. I plan to dance through the tears today.'

The American then said her son is just 18 months-old and has already been introduced to The Prodigy. She added: 'I will carry on, someone said that Keith lit the fire and we'll keep it burning.'

Carpenter Lewis Knowles, 31, travelled up from Calne in Wiltshire and said he recognised many faces from the front row of shows around the world.

'They were a big part of growing up, listening to The Prodigy, enjoying it, travelling all round Europe and the world watching them, so it felt right to come here and just try to enjoy the day and see people you bump into at the gigs,' he said.

Flowers from thousands of miles away sat outside the church. A bouquet from the US read: 'Keef… You and I have never met but the world will forever miss you. I am so sorry for whatever pain you may have experienced in life.

'I wish you realised and understood 'more' how much you meant to all us fans and the world.'

Essex Police warned of delays for drivers. A spokesman said: 'The roads will not be closed throughout the course of the procession - so, as such, we would ask drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes where possible.

'The church service at St Mary's will be for family and close friends of Mr Flint. Fans and members of the public are asked to respect the privacy of Mr Flint's loved ones during this difficult time.'

Speaking ahead of the service, Reverend Rod Reid said St Mary's Church had been working closely with the family 'to get everything right for the day.'

He said: 'We are aware that many others will want to feel part of the day too, so the church service will be relayed across the church ground. We all want it to be a fitting tribute and a chance to give thanks for Keith.

'This has always been part of what the family and band wanted from the start – a recognition of the outpouring of love and support that has come from the fans.'

The service follows a campaign to commemorate Flint with a statue in Braintree. Thousands signed a petition backing the bid to ensure he can look 'over Braintree and carry on inspiring the people to follow their dreams'.

Council chiefs confirmed they will 'consider suitable ways' to remember the singer. Flint was found dead in his nearby £1.5million mansion in North End on March 4 with an inquest hearing he was hound hanging.

The star had recently returned from a tour in Australia and locals said they had seen him jogging in the lead up to his death. Tragically Flint even achieved a personal best for a 5k in the days before his body was found.

In the wake of his death it emerged Flint had split with his wife and his home had gone on the market.

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