Funeral of Doncaster's legendary Donny Dancer to take place today

Gary Marshall became a familiar face around the streets of Doncaster with his distinctive blond hair, sunglasses, colourful leather jackets and a portable speaker constantly blasting out a selection of 80s and 90s pop favourites as he danced around the town centre.

There was huge shock and hundreds of tributes following his death at the age of 55 last month.

His funeral is due to take place at Rose Hill Crematorium this morning, with mourners expected to turn out in force.

The cortege will travel through Doncaster with some of his favourite music being played as he makes his final journey.

A Facebook post said: “He will start his journey at around 10am, going through the town of Doncaster slowly and some of his favourite music being played.

"Then he will finish his journey at Rose Hill Crematorium where he will be sent off in true Gary/Donny Dancer style!”

Only 25 people will be allowed inside the service, but other mourners will be allowed to listen outside, maintaining social distancing.

It added: “We would like as many of you that can come to send him off in style as he made so many people smile and laugh and even sing.”

Mr Marshall, who lived in Thorne, became an overnight viral internet sensation a couple of years ago, with one video of him dancing being viewed more than 250,000 times.

A Facebook page was even set up in his honour and Donny Dancer fans used it to share memories of one of Doncaster’s more colourful characters following his death.

Interviewed by the Free Press in 2018, Gary said he began hitting the streets with his portable music system following the death of his dad Craig in November 2016.

He said: "I just started dancing in my living room one day. It is very much my own style, like a mix of dancing and walking."

He headed to Doncaster several times each week, sporting his "Donny Dancer" uniform - which was based on the character Soldier 76 from best-selling video game Overwatch.