Funeral Held For Geoff Betts AKA Al James

The funeral has taken place of Al James, one of the founder members of 70s pop band Showaddywaddy, who died following a fall at his home in Market Harborough last month.

Pic: Will Johnston Photography

Geoff Betts AKA Al James

The musician, whose real name was Geoff Betts, was laid to rest at the St John the Baptist Church in Billesdon, the village where he was born.

Hundreds of mourners attended to pay their final respects to the 72- year-old.

His coffin, carried into the church by his former bandmates to the song Hotel California by The Eagles, had a floral display in the shape of a guitar on top.

Pic (Will Johnston Photography) Showaddywaddy Drummer Romeo Challenger was one of those to carry the coffin

His daughters, Natalie and Joanne, spoke about how grateful they were for the life he led and former Showaddywaddy lead singer and close friend Dave Bartram, who met Geoff when he was 17, described him as being like a brother.

Geoff was in the band from 1973 until 2008.

After the funeral his coffin was carried out of the church to Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin for a family burial, while mourners went to the local pub.

Pic (Will Johnston Photography) : Dave Bartram and Romeo Challenger, who helped carry Geoff’s coffin into the church