Kaleidoscope of colour at funeral for flamboyant lottery winner

Mourners at the funeral of flamboyant lottery millionaire Melissa Ede were told that the former taxi driver would have loved the colourful occasion.

Miss Ede’s coffin was brought into the Chanterlands Crematorium, in Hull, in a rainbow coloured hearse, pulled by two white horses and was carried into the service through a arch of balloons.

Civil celebrant Alastair Devine, who led the funeral procession in his multi-coloured suit, told the congregation the 58-year-old former taxi driver and transgender LGBT campaigner would have approved of the colourful theme.

Introducing what he called “a very unconventional funeral service”, Mr Devine said: “She would have loved today, the carriage, the horses, the colour, the fun.

“Most importantly, that the focus is all on Mel.”

Welcoming the media into the funeral, he said Miss Ede would have “wanted a funeral that had as much coverage as the royal wedding.”

Mr Devine said: “She was certainly unique. She would have loved it today that her friends from the press and media are all here.”

He said: “This service is like no other that I’ve ever conducted.”

And he advised before the tributes began: “Any of you are of a sensitive or delicate nature, be warned.”

Mr Devine said: “A fantastic person has been lost to us.”

Miss Ede died from a heart attack earlier this month, according to her fiancee Rachel Nason, who led the mourners, many dressed in coloured clothing.

The former Hull taxi driver was already known for her off-the-wall online videos and appearances on daytime TV shows when she scooped £4 million on a scratchcard 18 months ago.

Her £4 million giant cheque and a replica of the winning scratchcard were displayed in chapel, next to her coffin.

Ms Nason has explained how Ms Ede had gone to hospital on May 5, but came back to her Hull home five hours later “with the all clear”.

She described how, a week later, she heard her car engine revving and went out to find her slumped at the wheel.

Ms Nason said that a post-mortem examination had revealed Ms Ede had ischaemic heart disease, which led to a sudden heart attack.