Declan Donnelly fights back tears in emotional eulogy to his brother

Declan Donnelly helped carry his brother's coffin into church before telling mourners that the priest had 'so many more lives he needed to change' in a touching tribute. Father Dermott Donnelly, who had recently celebrated 30 years of service in the Catholic church, died in hospital earlier this month after falling seriously ill.

TV star Declan said his family 'can't believe he's gone' as hundreds gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle for Fr Dermott’s Requiem Mass on Friday, with more than 2,000 watching the service on a livestream. Ant McPartlin arrived separately.

The long-time friends and TV partners hugged outside after the service before applause erupted as Fr Dermott's hearse pulled away. Fr Dermott, 55, was best known for his work with young people and youth ministry.

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Mourners at his funeral heard he was a 'gifted priest' who 'dedicated himself every day to the service of others'. Paying tribute to his brother during the service, Declan fought back tears as he said: “Unfortunately today our world is a slightly worse place because Dermott is no longer with us.

“He still had so much more he wanted to do, so many more lives he needed to change. We can’t believe he’s gone, we still can’t understand why he’s gone - but we trust God took him because his talents were needed elsewhere. We as a family will miss him immeasurably.”

Declan thanked the congregation for 'all the amazing tributes and messages of support', saying the family had been 'simply overwhelmed by the kindness we’ve been shown'. He said Fr Dermott had been the middle child of seven, and told how they grew up in a