VILLAGE’S FAREWELL TO NATION’S FRIEND
THE streets of Cwmavon, near Port Talbot, came to a tearful standstill as the grieving widower of Chris Needs and their pet dog led the star’s funeral cortège through the village.
The popular and much-loved radio presenter died on July 26 following a short period of ill-health and yesterday, his funeral was a touching and wonderful display of how much he meant to everybody.
Needs’ widower, Gabe, and their pet dog, Buster Llyr, were given an emotional round of applause as they walked ahead of the hearse carrying the 68-year-old’s coffin.
Coronavirus restrictions meant that mourners at his service were limited to close friends and family only, but the hundreds who would have packed the church pews watched the funeral online instead.
On air, the BBC Radio Wales DJ was larger than life and his late-night phone-in show brought him nationwide fame and an army of followers.
And on the streets of his home village, people spoke of how well respected Chris was in the community too.
Rachel Ellis and Beverley Davies expressed their sadness at Chris’ passing and praised how Cwmavon came together to pay tribute.
“He would have loved the fuss. Gabe and Buster walking in brought a tear to my eye,” said Rachel.
Opening the service at Margam Crematorium, funeral director Andrew Akins said: “We have gathered today to say farewell to Christopher Needs MBE.
“Although this service is not the service we would have liked to have had for Chris, in fact we would all rather not have to have a service at all. Welcome to this service to honour Chris Needs.”
Speaking at the service, Chris’ widower, Gabe, said: “It is very difficult because there are so many tales and it’s difficult in trying to decide what to tell and what not to tell and you all have your own stories.”
Gabe went on to talk lovingly about the relationship that Chris had with his mother, Margaret Rose.
He said: “His mother, Margaret Rose, who so many people knew and loved. They were exactly the same
“They both loved attention. They both loved being the centre of attention, they both loved being part of the group.
“They just loved having people around them.
“Margaret Rose’s stage was actually behind the counter of the fruit and veg shop, she loved it. She was on stage, she would tell jokes.
“Even now, she is such a force to be reckoned with in the village.
“Chris was exactly the same, he loved being the centre of attention, he loved people around him, he loved telling tales, singing songs and telling jokes.
“But he didn’t like being a celebrity. He loved being part of the group but he didn’t want to be an idol in any way.
“But the both of them loved one person in particular. Margaret Rose loved Ryan Davies with a passion and she would see him at every opportunity she could.
“She always said that given the opportunity if he said he would marry her she was going to divorce Howell today, that was it.
“Chris loved him as well, so much so we have become very good friends with his two children, who live close to us.”
Gabe went on to speak the English translation of the Ryan and Ronnie song, Ti a dy ddoniau, (You and Your Skills) a song which both Chris and his mother loved.
Returning to lead the service, Andrew Akins described how Chris grew up in Cwmavon and attended Dyffryn Comprehensive, though didn’t like it there as he hated the smell of the steelworks.
“Music was very much a part of Chris’ life, whether he was playing it on the piano or the radio. He was always an entertainer.”
The congregation was told of Chris’ life travelling and performing in different countries, including Spain, where he also worked as a translator, skilled in four languages.
“Chris had this unique ability to talk to people from any walk of life as if they were his friend next door. He put people at ease.
“He was awarded the equivalent of the radio Oscars, for the best radio presenter.”
He spoke about the massive span of the nightly Friendly Garden show, which has more than 50,000 members, including famous names Bonnie Tyler and Katherine Jenkins.
Mr Akins described how Chris and Gabe met more than 30 years ago, spending 33 years together and being married for the last six.
“Believe it or not Chris hated dogs, he wasn’t a dog person, in fact when
Buster Llyr came along he said to Gabe ‘it is either me or the dog’. Gabe took the dog and said ‘come with me if you want to’.
“He grew to love Buster, Buster was his best friend, because Buster isn’t just any dog, he’s Chris and Gabe’s dog.”
The song Angels, by Robbie Williams, was played in Welsh at the end of the ceremony, a song which Chris recorded and sang at the Eisteddfod. In true Chris fashion, everyone on stage was dressed in white, while Chris, like Robbie, wore black leather.