Fans can pay respects to singer Denise

THE funeral of acclaimed vocalist Denise Johnson will be held next Wednesday, her family have announced.

And all those who loved her are being invited to safely line a route to Southern Cemetery to pay their respects.

Denise, who sang alongside Primal Scream, Johnny Marr and New Order, passed away suddenly last month aged 56.

And Denise’s family have also revealed a celebration of her life will be held next year, at an event in her memory on her birthday, July 31. They spoke of their disappointment that current Covid-19 restrictions have put a limit on the number of people allowed to be at the funeral service. Close friend Sue Langford issued a statement on behalf of Denise’s family, which said: “Her funeral will take place at the Manchester Crematorium, Southern Cemetery, at 1pm on Wednesday 19 August. Due to restrictions on how many mourners are allowed inside the crematorium grounds, wellwishers are asked instead to line the route that Denise will take.

“Close friends have been invited to gather in the grounds of the cemetery, with family making up the very small number of guests allowed inside the chapel.

We respectfully ask that anyone not already invited should take their place in the lining of the route instead.”

The family are asking for donations in lieu of flowers for The Music Venue Trust or Age UK, Manchester.

Starting at 12.15pm on Manchester Road in Whalley Range, at the junction of Stratton Road, the funeral cortege will head into Chorlton past the former Baths, Chorlton Library, continuing by the four banks and down Barlow Moor Road, over the tramlines at the junction of Mauldeth Road/Hardy Lane and to Southern Cemetery.