Circus Queen’s final farewell: Helena Bonham Carter and Tony Adams are among stars seen arriving at Nell Gifford’s funeral after she died of breast cancer at 46
- Nell Gifford died in December following a four-year battle with breast cancer
- Countryfile’s Ellie Harrison was among those to attend funeral this afternoon
- Costumed performers guided ponies to Gloucester Cathedral in moving tribute
- Funeral falls in the same year in which Nell’s circus marks its 20th anniversary
Helena Bonham Carter and Tony Adams are among the stars to have turned out for Nell Gifford’s funeral after she died of breast cancer aged just 46.
The actress and former Arsenal star both came to honour the circus creator, who passed away last month following a four-year battle with the disease.
Countryfile’s Ellie Harrison was also spotted heading to Gloucester Cathedral as well-wishers came to pay their final respects this afternoon.
Helena Bonham Carter (pictured, left) and Tony Adams (right) are among the stars to have turned out for Nell Gifford’s funeral this afternoon
Ponies and costumed women arrive for the funeral of circus owner Nell Gifford at Gloucester Cathedral this afternoon
The circus-inspired coffin leaves the funeral of Nell Gifford as it is drawn by a horse and cart
The coffin leaves with Nell in flowers and tributes left to the Giffords circus founder and ringmistress
Costumed women line the entrance to the cathedral (left). Nell Gifford on a horse adorned in circus-inspired accessories (left)
Costumed performers walked over cobbled streets as they guided ponies to the church to remember Nell.
The mother of nine-year-old twins Cecil and Red was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after finding a lump.
Last year was told she had just one year left to live as the disease had spread to her bones and lymph nodes.
Countryfile’s Ellie Harrison (left) is pictured arriving at Gloucester Cathedral for the funeral of Nell Gifford (right) this afternoon
She was surrounded by family ‘both immediate and circus’ when she died on Sunday December 8th.
Originally from Wiltshire, her vision for Giffords Circus was to bring happiness, imagination and enliven people’s souls. Giffords Circus shall continue to do just that.
The white horse and cart with the coffin departs from Gloucester Cathedral. Originally from Wiltshire, her vision for Giffords Circus was to bring happiness, imagination and enliven people’s souls
A woman weeps as she carries Nell’s coffin outside Gloucester Cathedral with circus-inspired lettering
Speaking in December, a spokesman for the circus said: ‘Whilst the world is a dimmer place today, Nell will continue to live through the Circus.
‘Nell was a creative genius, a daughter, step-daughter, sister, friend, leader and mother.
‘She leaves behind the next generation – her twins Cecil and Red – who are both part of the Giffords Circus DNA. We love her. May she rest in peace.’
In 2020 Giffords Circus will celebrate their 20th anniversary of the Circus and Nell’s former colleagues said that she wanted it to be the ‘showstopper’.
Ponies and performers are pictured outside Gloucester Cathedral today as the paid their final respects to Nell Gifford