Hundreds turned out to pay their final respects to Father Dermott Donelly on Friday (July 29), who died earlier this year at the age of 55 following a short illness. 

Taking to St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle - there were countless people who had lined the streets and the aisles of the church to remember the life of Fr Dermott, who had recently celebrated 30 years of service in the Catholic church.

TV personality and Dermott's brother Declan Donnelly helped carry his brother’s coffin into the cathedral, while his friend and co-star Ant McPartlin arrived separately.

The pair hugged outside after the service, and there was applause from the mourners as the hearse pulled away.

Read more: Declan Donnelly pays heartfelt tribute to his brother Dermott at funeral

Fr Dermott, 55, was best known for his work with young people and youth ministry.

Mourners at his funeral heard he was a “gifted priest” who “dedicated himself every day to the service of others”.

Here are the pictures from today's poignant funeral of Father Dermott Donnelly:

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Pictures: PA MEDIA and NORTH NEWS.

Within the service, Dec paid a heartfelt tribute to his brother - saying: “Unfortunately today our world is a slightly worse place because Dermott is no longer with us. 

Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Robert Byrne also offered his condolences to Fr Dermott’s mother and siblings, as well as extended family who had travelled from Ireland.

He said: “The huge numbers of people here this morning joining us in this cathedral and St Michael’s (church) by livestreaming is an obvious testament to the ministry of a gifted priest.”

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